PHOTOGRAPHY CHEMICALS

Photography chemicals are substances used for processing film and making prints. This category includes a wide variety of chemicals. The largest manufacturer of photography chemicals, Kodak, has more than 20,000 products currently on the market.

The photography chemicals most often used at home are those involved in black-and-white film processing. The most commonly used solutions are developer, fixer, and stop bath. Photography chemicals that require special handling include intensifiers, dyes, and toners, which may contain selenium, uranium, iron, gold, and platinum. Color film processing is more complex. In particular, the developing baths of color transparency and color negative processing and home color printing require special precautions.

Many chemicals used to develop photographs are corrosive and can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation. Inhalation and skin contact are the primary routes of hazardous exposure. These chemicals are toxic if swallowed. Acids used in developing can burn and blind you. Products which contain benzene, a known cancer causing agent in humans, can be especially hazardous Photography chemicals have a longer shelf life in a powder form than in liquid concentrate, but the powder form does produce dust when poured and can be easily Powdered chemicals require longer agitation completely dissolve, possibly forming vapor droplets. These droplets are easily inhaled and can carry photography chemicals into the lungs.

Use: Always read and follow the product label instructions. Wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and an organic vapor respirator and cover all exposed skin. Kodak recommends at least 10 air changes per hour for workrooms and recommends exhaust ventilation for the processing and mixing tanks. A canopy-type exhaust hood should be sufficient for photograph development done occasionally in the home; using a bathroom-type exhaust fan is not adequate. Be sure the exhaust fan draws fumes away from you and the work area.

Always add acid to water. Never add water to acid when mixing chemical solutions. Avoid products containing benzene. For information on the ingredients of Kodak products, contact Kodak at 1-800-242-2424 and request a Material Safety Data Sheet.

Storage: Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Store acids in nonmetal, unbreakable containers. Store all chemicals in nonbreakable containers or place bottles inside plastic containers and clearly mark the contents on the outside. Label the working (diluted) solution with the date it was mixed up in order to avoid using outdated solutions.

Disposal: Unmixed chemicals need to be disposed of through a licensed hazardous waste handler or through a professional household hazardous waste collection. It is best to use up your chemicals or check with a school or photographic materials supplier to see if they can use your unwanted supplies to avoid this disposal problem.

Properly mixed and diluted black-and-white photography solutions can be flushed with plenty of water down the drain connected to the sanitary sewer system. If you use a septic tank or lagoon, ask a friend or relative who is connected to the sanitary sewer system if you might use their drain to dispose of your properly mixed and diluted photography chemicals.

If you have color photography chemicals and solutions contact the manufacturer for disposal instructions. Kodak has a referral number for its products (1-800-242-2424; ask for environmental/technical services).

© Copyright