Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/11/08

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Darkroom exposure (was digit stuff)
From: Guy Bennett <gbennett@lainet.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 12:51:35 -0800
References: <v04011701b80fc92edd09@[66.81.77.180]> <3BE97600.7F7F1F09@earthlink.net> <NABBLIJOIFAICKBIEPJJGEMOMPAA.darkroom@ix.netcom.com> <v04011701b80de30189e2@[66.81.63.142]> <3BE858C6.A2632383@home.com>

Dave,

It does indeed sound like you've become allergic to darkroom chemistry.
Have you had any testing done to find out exactly what it might be? I think
Joe is right: perhaps a digital darkroom is in your future.

Have any of the other darkroom "old timers" on this list had similar
problems? Does anyone know of any studies related to allergies/illnesses
caused by photographic chemistry?

Guy

P.S. And as for computer-related health hazards, I was referring to neck,
back and nerve damage that can result from unergonomic work conditions, not
from printer inks. I have had minor neck problems for about 5 years now
caused by spending hours looking at a computer screen that was too high up
off the desk I was working at.


>Guy,
>
>I am very careful when it comes to chemicals. Even those considered to be
>relatively benign. Still, over the last few years I've noticed some changes
>when I spend time over trays. Started out my lips became very chapped after
>printing. (My lips never get chapped otherwise.)Yet I never touch any part
>of my face in the darkroom, nor do I ever put my hands in chemicals.
>
>If I inadvertantly come into contact with anything -- and it always seems
>to happen regardless of how careful I am -- I wash with soap immediately.
>
>Recently other things have occured. Not serious mind you. But I know it was
>a result of working with darkroom chemicals because it only happened when I
>spent time there. And I have to spend less and less time for it to happen.
>And the affects seem to be getting worse. I'm in my mid-40s and I've been
>printing and developing film for 20+  years. Maybe it's an age thing. Maybe
>it's an exposure thing. Maybe it's just me.
>
>My darkroom, BTW, is extremely well ventilated and I never use exotic
>chemicals. OTOH, perhaps because I never used more dangerous chemicals, and
>therefore took less care over the years, I've built up some allergies to
>certain ingredients. I suppose there could be issues with ink, but I don't
>think it's in the same league.
>
>Dave
>
>At 09:44 PM 11/7/2001 -0800, you wrote:
>
>>And as for the toxic chemicals, if you're not splashing around in them and
>>your darkroom is well ventilated, the potential danger to your health is
>>minimal, ferricyanide notwithstanding. And while we're on the subject,
>>hours and hours spent working on the computer can also cause physical
>>damage.
>>
>>Been there, done that. I'll take the darkroom.
>
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In reply to: Message from Guy Bennett <gbennett@lainet.com> (Re: [Leica] digit stuff)
Message from "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net> (Re: [Leica] digit stuff)
Message from "Austin Franklin" <darkroom@ix.netcom.com> (RE: [Leica] digit stuff for those interested)
Message from Guy Bennett <gbennett@lainet.com> (Re: [Leica] digit stuff)
Message from "Greg J. Lorenzo" <gregj.lorenzo@home.com> (Re: [Leica] digit stuff)