Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/08/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Adam- Again I may be late, but here is what I know! Everyone knows that photographic chemicals are unstable- developer even in tightly closed containers goes 'bad'- even fixer breaks down inside the bottle. The same thing happens when the chemicals are put into the sewage system, or even septic tank (if you don't over do it!)- they break down. Used fixer can pose a problem, but only if you are running a commercial lab and are not using a silver recovery system. I worked in a lab, and the MSDS's that Kodak provided indicated that the current C-41 film chemicals, and the RA-4 paper chemicals are such that if used according to instructions pose no hazard at all to the user or the environment. They are largely organic substances that break down very quickly in the environment. I called our local water and sewer department to find out what went into the water here- they actually add a certain number of grains of hardness to help preserve the plumbing, and I asked a blout photochemicals at the waste treatment plant- they said they are not a problem- the big problem is run-off of chemical fertilizers from lawns, and illegally dumped motor oil that gets in to the waste water stream! Have no fear- you are not a bad citizen just because you dump out your piddling little dribbles of chemicals! In the bigger picture, you are okay! Dan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Adam Bridge" <abridge@gmail.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 3:49 PM Subject: [Leica] Disposal of chemistry > How are people disposing of used color chemistry? And black and white > for that matter? > > Adam > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >