Toner Recommendations: Something less toxic than Selenium.

baachitraka · Apr 28, 2014

Unfortunately I really like the color of Selenium toned prints(depends on dilution) but my main concern is the toxicity of the same.

Are there any direct toners which give similar color and have similar archival properties?

Ian Grant · Apr 28, 2014

You could try Hypo Alum toner, it's slower and doesn't give quite the same colour. Unlike Selenium it works well with Bromide (colder tone) papers.

Ilford IT-2 Hypo Alum Toner

Sodium Thiosulphate 150 g
Potassium Alum 25 g
Water to 1 litre

It has a reducing action until ripened. After that there's no bleaching, you should top up with fresh solution when necessary. Ilford say it lasts for years - it really does I've some made up in 1973.

You can ripen using old scrap prints.

Ian

baachitraka · Apr 28, 2014

May I know how long it will take to ripen it?

Ian Grant · Apr 28, 2014

baachitraka said:
May I know how long it will take to ripen it?

Ilford say a few prints is best or 0.14g Silver Nitrate per litre, you keep topping the stock solution with fresh toner and it improves with aging.

I'd use half a dozen 10x8 RC prints (RC so you lose less with carry over). The colour is dependent on the paper/developer combination used.

Iam

baachitraka · Apr 28, 2014

I am placing order to get the chemicals today...Seems, very interesting toner.

One question: Can I re-tone my selenium toned prints without bleaching them with IT-2?

baachitraka · Apr 28, 2014

The chemical supplier is offering Sodium Thiosulphate in crystals and in sicc(presumably power). I know it is silly to ask, but which one goes well into IT-2?

baachitraka · Apr 28, 2014

I am reading more about this toner, but one concern is working temperature. I do not have any tray warmers nor have the idea how to keep the mix @50°C.

Are there any direct toners that work at room temp and give similar results like Selenium?

brian steinberger · Apr 28, 2014

As long as you have adequate ventilation, wear gloves and don't drink the selenium you will be fine. I'd stick with selenium, by far my favorite toner. I'm never giving it up.

Tom1956 · Apr 28, 2014

Selenium is not that poisonous. But then it takes all types to believe these things.

pentaxuser · Apr 28, 2014

Maybe the OP can tell us what it is about selenium that makes it so dangerous from his knowledge of it. It may be that those of you who have tried to give reasons why, with the precautions mentioned, selenium toner is not that dangerous have now convinced him but we won't know until he tells us.

There are an awful lot of selenium users here who are still here

pentaxuser

Ian Grant · Apr 28, 2014

baachitraka said:
The chemical supplier is offering Sodium Thiosulphate in crystals and in sicc(presumably power). I know it is silly to ask, but which one goes well into IT-2?

Crystal is the normal form used in Photography.

Ian

baachitraka · Apr 28, 2014

I use bathroom for printing and my primary concern is our little daughter. Though I clean thoroughly after every session but I do not want to take chances.

Tom1956 · Apr 28, 2014

If you see any spatter from selenium toner, it will be a speck of reddish color when dry. Your daughter is in more danger at school on any given day.

Ian Grant · Apr 28, 2014

baachitraka said:
I use bathroom for printing and my primary concern is our little daughter. Though I clean thoroughly after every session but I do not want to take chances.

She's in just as much danger from a wide variety of household products, actually more so.

Selenium deficiency is a widespread problem and many people take Selenium supplement tablets. Good house keeping and locking you chemistry away after use and there's no issues.

Ian

NedL · Apr 28, 2014

Well darn, I was hoping to hear how it went with the potassium alum toner. I take it that needs a temperature of 50C? ( off to go see what else there is about "IT-2" on APUG.. )

cowanw · Apr 28, 2014

Don't leave your dandruff shampoo around. This can be 1% selenium.
The toxic dose is 800 micrograms/ day, so if my math is right one would need to drink 8 litres of selsun blue/ day.

TheToadMen · Apr 29, 2014

I've seen very nice examples of toning with coffee, strong tea or the water over very long cooked red onions.

Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

Toner Recommendations: Something less toxic than Selenium.

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