I finally remembered where I read such an exhaustive article on chemical
poisoning and safety precautions. Where else but the Focal press
Encyclopaedia of Photographu ("Encyclopaedia Ggigantica Photographica
Maxima") from the Seventies.
It deals with dermatitis and ways to heal it, etc.
I recommend to all who have it to look it up, page 3415 (vol.18).
My notes are denoted as //...//
Few brief points from the three page article follow: [remember, it was
written in days when people didn't use gloves, but still take heed ;) ]
1) skin sensitization, resulting in horrible skin eruptions, develops for
most peple only after years of contact with developer, so you never know
when you are safe ;)
2) two types of poisoning due to developer: Alkali and Reducing agent. Both
are to be treated quite differently
*** 2A) Alkali poisoning.
Skin becomes thin, cracked, peeling, somewhat reddened, tender. No pimples
on hands. But face freq. shows papular (pimply, acne like) eruption -
produced by alcali being transferred from hands to face.
PREVENTION
Keep hands away from tender skin (face) until preventive treatment apply.
This treatment: neutralization of the alkali by weak solution of acid,
either 2-5% acetic acid or winegar. Ten or fifteen minutes //propably
overkill, we all wear gloves now. But still, 1 or few mins might help// in
it. Wash afterwards with water.
HEALING
of skin eruptions & dermatitis due to alkali poisoning.
Do not get any more alkali on the skin until healed! This might only result
in chronic, eczematous condition, hard to heal!!!
Should heal itself in week or two. Some lubricant/hydrating agent/cream
will give comfort (soften brittle skin).
*** 2B) Reducing agent poisoning
Most agents cause eruptions, with Metol propably the worst. // So Xtol is
maybe the safest, without any metol //. But Metol only propably to
"impurity", paraphenylene-diamine // so even XTOL, considered to be
"safest" is not safe - it contains still not only Vitamin C, but also
aromatic amines - phenyl-diamine derivate...;( //. //just use gloves all
the time//.
PREVENTION
Use the acid bath as well, it will neutralize alkalis and solubilize the
aromatic amines - easier to wash away then.
ERUTPTION
does not appera usualy until 24 - 48 hrs after exposure. Blisters are
seen, deep in thin skin (between fingers,wrists). In another day or two
these surface as solid piples. In few days more, skin between them
raises,thickens, reddens. There is constant itching from the beginning,
more n more intense.Sometimes, skin oozes fluid - serum (lymph) from
under-skin tissues. Usually, the course of eruption is 10-14 days, than it
disappears.
HEALING
Cannot be substantialy shortened. Except to endure all the stages, 10-14
days ;(. Only method helpful is one for relieving of the itching or burning
//so you don't scratch your hand off ;) //. Try this lotion:
Pure Phenol (1 dram), Methol (2 dram), Aluminium Nitrate (1 ounce), Rubbing
alcohol to make 6 ounces. Dissolve. Shake up before using. Apply gently
with tuft of cotton. Keep away from eyes.
MORE PREVENTION
The latent period of 24-48 hours is time it gets the agents to permeate
tru outer skin layers to below. So the irritant must be promply destroyed,
before it starts penetrating. This can be accomplished by oxidising agents
(of course such that will not damage the skin): 3-5% solution of Potassium
Permanganate, throuoroughly dissolving the crystals. Add ten drops of
concentrated sulfuric acid to one quart of the solution. Wash the hands and
forearms up to the elbows in this solution until they are a uniform deep
walnut brown. Then wash in 3-5% Oxalic acid or Sodium oxalate acidified
with ten drops of concentrated sulfuric acid per quart of solution. The
brown stain will disappear rapidly. Your hands will emerge white and soft,
cleaner than you would get them by any amounty of scrubing with soap and
water. !Caution: Persons who are subject to skin irritation should be sure
they are not irritated by any chemicals mentioned above!. A better than the
Oxalic acid (acidified sodium oxalate) can be 5-10% solution of Sodium
Sulfite (or Sodium bisulfite), which also removes the hypermanganate stain.
Sodium (bi)sulfite is better cause it's less likely to cause irritation on
its own, and less dangerous to handle. Even if not subject to dermatitis,
you may find it useful (all the way, permanganate to remover) in removing
developer stains from skin
//and I would add, perhaps also from sinks and bathroom tubs, for some of
us develop in their bathrooms, over a bath tub, which developer has the
habit of _PERMANENTLY_ (yes, it's PERMANENT) staining dark brown or purple.
Our significant others are known to object to such pink-stained bath tub,
and could throw us out of the flat. So this permanganate and remover might
be helpfull even in removing these stains!!!//
*** That's all. hope you find it helpful ;) Wear gloves, or be careful and
use the above hints. (I personaly don't use gloves when developing prints,
and sometimes I just splash some of the developer, which contains lots of
metol, onto myself. Just a tiny splash but it counts). And those of you
using Pyro daily, be MUCH MORE careful! Photographers in the old days of
19th century were known to die from too much pyro exposure (say, 40 years
of the job, daily, without gloves, actually PUTTING HANDS INTO THE STUFF!!!
Dumb...). I don't think you are gonna die, but maybe develop some
dermatitis if you bath in the stuff.
After reading that article again in preparation for writing this, I said to
myself: EEEK! Enough of it, I am gonna use slides only from now on ;-) Or
digital...
Seriously, I still love doing darkroom work, and will love it, and will
miss it when digital takes over ;-( A fine print is a fine print.
Frantisek
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