Poison safety in dual-purpose darkroom spaces

Kawaiithulhu · Feb 16, 2014

For those of us with multipurpose darkroom spaces like bathrooms or kitchens (like me for daylight tanks) I had an idea that's cut my cleaning time way down and left me feeling safer from chemical contamination between runs.

I lay down a sheet or two of plastic saran wrap under my wet work area Soup never touches my counters, it's easy to absorb splashes with a paper towel and roll up the plastic for disposal, and there are no pesky corners where chemistry will dry and leave powders behind.

I was prompted to post this in the hope of gathering more safety practices after reading through a number of Pyro threads.

gone · Feb 16, 2014

That's a great idea. Thanks.

I always mix powders outdoors, but I do leak a lot of fixer and developer out of my leaky Paterson tank onto the counter tops when I develop film in the kitchen sink. Even though I always clean it up I'm sure there's some residue left. We always cut up veggies on a cutting board though. Still, w/ chemicals, there is no such thing as being too careful.

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2014

Temporary splash guards removed after mixing
Complete scrub down of all used and nearby surfaces.

jp498 · Feb 16, 2014

Just use a big tray (like a 16x20) to contain the drippings.

StoneNYC · Feb 16, 2014

I do use a news paper, using a tray is a good idea too

Tom1956 · Feb 16, 2014

With the standard Kodak-type chemistry, I don't think poisoning is much of a problem. Doesn't worry me any.

MattKing · Feb 16, 2014

For ease of cleaning, I use the bottom of a dish drainer below my Beseler rotary unit.

I think I paid $0.25 for it at a thrift store.

It is flat, and therefore easy to store on top of the Rubbermaid tote that I keep the Beseler unit, my Gralab timer, and some extra developing tanks in.

The top for the Rubbermaid tote works as well.

I attach a link showing something similar (mine is white, rather than silver).

Simple cleaning is more than enough to deal with any issues that arise from most common chemicals - the cleaning materials we use in the kitchen are about the same level of concern regarding "poisons" as the common darkroom chemicals.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Space-Saving-Silver-Worktop-Drainer/dp/B0014QP9MI/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1392582151&sr=1-3

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
Temporary splash guards removed after mixing
Complete scrub down of all used and nearby surfaces.

Additionally: All sponges and cleaning cloths are used only for chemical clean up and kept separate from daily life.

jp498 · Feb 16, 2014

One benefit of cleanliness is that it is possible to make a mess and something could get silver stained in your kitchen if not cleaned up. You know how reels and trays can get dark even though they do get cleaned.

nworth · Feb 16, 2014

Most ordinary black and white photographic solutions, like the chemicals you get from Kodak or Ilford, do not pose any real hazard. Any small quantities you get on a counter may make something taste terrible but will not be really harmful. Color chemicals and some of the more exotic black and white brews (e.g. PPD, pyro, dichromates) are more dangerous. Your precautions sound good for the ordinary stuff. I would still wash down the surface as the last step in cleanup.

ntenny · Feb 16, 2014

I think it's just safest to avoid dual-use situations, though I suppose that isn't always possible. (And I'll cop to violating it in a couple of specific ways; I mix Caffenol up in the kitchen, for instance, since it doesn't involve anything you wouldn't use in the kitchen anyway. Except for that horrific instant coffee.)

Typical photo chemicals aren't *that* toxic, especially for standard b&w processes, but still, we all make dumb mistakes once in a while---and I'd rather not have to rely on "well, it's not *that* toxic" when I make one. Suspenders and a belt, I suppose.

We did once have a member accidentally make tea with sodium sulfite in it, if I remember correctly!

-NT

Jaf-Photo · Feb 18, 2014

A worthy subject and many a good advice in this thread.

Although most B&W chemicals won't cause acute poisoning in small amounts of working solutions, it's well worth considering the long term effects of repeat exposure. Some of them are carcinogens.

I have been relying on plastic tubs, grease proof paper, wiping, scrubbing and disposing of rags and sponges.

But after reading this thread, I,ll buy a large plastic tray to place all bottles and equipent on while working. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.

Ventilation is also important if you are working with powders or heated solutions, so it's a good idea to run the fan in the bathroom or kitchen.

jp498 · Feb 18, 2014

The idea of a tray came up because I use a big tray to have a dry and clean space in my darkroom for loading film, etc.. (I don't do it at the enlarger area because of glowing timers, etc..)

If you need a really big tray for kitchen darkroom work, check out the cement mixing trays at Home depot or the water heater spill trays.

Jaf-Photo · Feb 18, 2014

jp498 said:
The idea of a tray came up because I use a big tray to have a dry and clean space in my darkroom for loading film, etc.. (I don't do it at the enlarger area because of glowing timers, etc..)

If you need a really big tray for kitchen darkroom work, check out the cement mixing trays at Home depot or the water heater spill trays.

Cheers, I bought one on the way home from work today. It's actually a tray for putting dirty shoes on but it has perfect dimensions for all my gear. I already tried it in a development run. Perfect

Poison safety in dual-purpose darkroom spaces

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