NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/rec/photo/20321

Internet Message Format | 1992-11-23 | 1.6 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!mcsun!uknet!glasgow!jack
From: [e-mail] (Jack Campin)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Darkroom Ventilation
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 23 Nov 92 14:47:46 GMT
References: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jack Campin)
Organization: COMANDOS Project, Glesga Yoonie
Lines: 23

[e-mail] (Barry Sherman) writes:
> But I'm not aware that the odors of acetic acid, fixers and standard paper
> developers are dangerous.  Anyone know for a fact?

In some people, the sulphur dioxide given off by most developers can induce
a severe generalized allergy syndrome after prolonged exposure; this happens
to X-ray technicians and people working in one-hour labs (the latter often
have bad ventilation).  This leaves you getting acute asthma attacks not
only on re-exposure to SO2, but also many other common volatile chemicals.
I don't know of any cases resulting from ordinary amateur darkroom usage.

The vapour given off by selenium toner is extremely toxic.  You probably
knew that.  Incidentally, does anyone know the exact point of the "for
professional use only" on the label of the Kodak one?  I assume it's a
piece of corporate ass-covering, but quite how it would work legally I
can't imagine - no shop has ever asked me if I was a professional when
buying it.

--
--  Jack Campin    room G092, Computing Science Department, Glasgow University,
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