For those of you new to film photography, or just in need of a refresher, here is a neat 101 introductory video lesson from Rebecca Joyce.
April 30, 2023
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Never develop film in your kitchen, as you need to use toxic chemicals!
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Not very dangerous if you use common sense and a few safety precautions.
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Believe me, I've seen it all when I was at the academy.
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As said , use some common sense and take some simple safety precautions and your perfectly safe .
If the commonly used developers etc were that dangerous , we'd all be dead already !Splash the chemicals around uncovered worktops etc , and your asking for problems .
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The basic chemicals aren't particularly toxic if you use D-76, acetic acid, and sodium thiosulfate.
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There's a bottle of acetic acid in most kitchens.
I developed films (and prints) in kitchens for many years with no ill effects.Some people are allergic to some developers.
Don
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bit over the top
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From Kodak's MSDS (materials safety data sheet) for D-76
"Hazard statement: Harmful if swallowed. May cause an allergic skin reaction. Causes serious eye damage. Suspected of causing genetic defects. Suspected of causing cancer. May cause damage to organs (Blood, kidney) through prolonged or repeated exposure. Very toxic to aquatic life."
"General Hygiene Considerations: Observe any medical surveillance requirements. Keep away from food and drink. Always observe good personal hygiene measures, such as washing after handling the material and before eating, drinking, and/or smoking. Routinely wash work clothing and protective equipment to remove contaminants. Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace."The worst of these risks might be very rare and in all likelihood nothing will happen to you but from personal experience as a researcher, sometimes $&%^ happens regardless of how careful you are.
The other thing to consider is that if you are developing film in a kitchen, there maybe others in your household who's welfare you're also responsible for.
I develop my film in the laundry btw. -
How should I mix my Caffenol developer? All ingredients are in our kitchen (instant coffee, Vit-C, washing soda and KBr)
Even the Fixer could be just table salt 😁 -
Jeeze guys... cut Rebecca some slack.
She very kindly made all of her photography videos during the Coronavirus lockdowns.She even mentions in the video that OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health) would not be happy with her set-up.
Kids today aren’t stoopid.
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Caffenol is the only developer I mix up in the kitchen
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My comments weren't an attack on Rebecca per se. I applaud anyone who shares their knowledge. I was responding to the "it's fine if you know what you're doing" and "it's never hurt me before" attitudes.
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Have you seen some the posts by "kids" ????? 😊😁😂🤣🤢🤢
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www.choice.com.au/babies-and-kids/children-and-safety/avoiding-common-dangers/articles/dishwasher-and-laundry-detergents#:~:text=Dishwasher%20detergents%20that%20are%20based,less%20severe%20injuries%20when%20swallowed.
npic.orst.edu/factsheets/capgen.html#:~:text=Although%20it%20is%20often%20used,nasal%20irritation%2C%20and%20temporary%20blindness.
www.milani.ca/blog/the-dangers-of-draino/#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20the%20continued%20usage,burns%20if%20left%20too%20long.
www.thespruce.com/what-is-trisodium-phosphate-4766547#:~:text=Trisodium%20phosphate%20is%20harmful%20and,handling%20or%20cleaning%20with%20TSP.
www.hsolc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/4-Ajax-Chlorine-Cleanser-Powder.pdf
www.housedigest.com/932518/why-you-should-never-dispose-of-silver-polish-down-the-drain/#:~:text=Silver%20polishes%20are%20toxic%20and,polishing%20products%20even%20contain%20cyanide.
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I was told (I don't know whether it is true) that a reasonable substitute for hypo clearing agent is seawater. I spent a summer as a teenager back in '76 on a remote island without electricity, roads, or running water. And I rolled my own film (Ilford BW), shot, processed and contract printed in a dark closet of a 100 year old house. And I rinsed my film in sea water and then well water. I still have those negative somewhere in my basement. I took some out a couple years ago and they still have an image, they don't look as if there is any contamination on them, but I don't even suspect they are archival in any sense of the word.
Peter
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Speaking as a chemist who has recently had to draw up a risk assessment for photo development- rubbish.
If you're making your own developer, some of the chemicals need care handling but proprietary brands are generally not bad and at working strength are pretty low hazard.
You should always take care to avoid ingestion or other contamination but that can be done with a pretty basic level of care and common sense.
Knock yourself out... metaphorically of course. -
Exactly my point Jim. 😁
