developers/fixers and sensitive skin

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grapejohnson

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Last night, I developed my first roll of film in my newly set up darkroom in my basement. Today I have a rash on my arm. I used D-76 and Kodak fixer (powder versions) with a water/vinegar stop bath. I used them all at stock strength (which I assume is part of the problem) but I don't even remember getting any one of it on my forearm. Does anyone know of any developers which are easy on sensitive skin? Are they any good? I developed TMax 400 at 800 and I am completely amazed with my results, so if this is just strong stuff I'll just rough it and take more caution/wear gloves.
Any suggestions? I'm totally new to the entire developing process. I haven't attempted printing yet and want to know what to avoid since there are way more chemicals used for that process (I bought Dektol).
 
Wearing gloves for sure is a good idea whenever working with chemicals. Also, immediately rinse the skin with lots of water if some of the liquids (developer / fixer) splash onto your arm or hands. Some people are more sensitive to these chemicals so take care.
 
Fixers make a lot of people itch or break out. I am sensitive to them. D-76 and Dektol both contain Metol (monomethyl para-aminophenol sulfate), which causes an allergic reaction known as Metol Poisoning in some people. You might be allergic to Metol. Both developers also contain Hydroquinone (1,4 dihydroxy-benzene), a known carcinogen. Its best to avoid contact at all with these, and all other photo chemicals. Wear nitrile gloves (latex is not chemical-proof!), and like Maddoc said, wash yourself right away of something does get on your skin.

Kodak Xtol film developer uses Dimezone (4-hydroxymethyl 4-methyl 1-phenyl 3-pyrozolidone) instead of Metol and an Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) derivative instead of Hydroquinone. Dimezone is less toxic than Metol, though recent research has found it to be more toxic than previously thought (it was previously believed to be nearly nontoxic). In any case, Xtol is less toxic than D-76. That might be an alternative for you.

For print developing, you might try Ilford Universal or Ilford Multigrade print developers. Both have Hydroquinone, but they use Phenidone (1 phenyl 3 pyrozolidone...closely related to Dimedone with similar properties) instead of metol.

For fixer, unfortunately, they all irritate my skin. You might try an Alkaline fixer, like Photographers Formulary TF-4, which is sold at Freestyle and B&H. I use it and it is less irritating to me.
 
Ready made photo chemicals are fairly non-toxic - on a scale with household cleaners and disinfectants. That is, if you don't drink the chemicals, and wear gloves whenever you have to touch them, toxicity aspects aren't going to hurt you.

But if you developed a rash some hours later, chances are that you are allergenic to some developing agents - most likely to Metol, as that is a strong allergen and the main active agent in D76. Try switching to HC-110 or Xtol - if you still have allergy issues with these, Caffenol (coffee-based developers) might be your last resort.
 
Chris, thanks for all the reccomendations. You seem to have answered a lot of my questions on here thus far, where otherwise sometimes my comments completely kill a thread. Thanks!!! It's nice to have some sense of community because nobody I know personally is into this stuff. I'll definitely get Xtol next time, I just figured that D-76 was cheap and such a classic/standard developer it would be a good place to start.
 
I must be very lucky -- I have had my hands in developers since 1951 and never had any trouble -- I mix up my own developers from raw chemicals too - but of course do not inhale the dust.
 
I've never used Kodak powder based fixer but normally fixer should be used diluted, not stock strength. Fixer can be bad for a sensitive skin like mine, even when it's diluted.
 
I'm with Chris on these. In my youth I was pretty casual about using gloves or tongs in the darkroom and I developed a sensitivity to metol based developers. I now wear nitrile gloves for all darkroom processes, even when I am using phenidone based developers. Human skin absorbs thiosulfates (fixers) like a sponge. May I suggest caution, but not paranoia, when using these materials. If you take sensible steps, you should be fine.

Ben

Edit: Ilford's ID-11 was rumored to be a phenidone based version of D-76. I don't know whether it is still available, but I had good results from it.
 
Also please consider some other product you could of come into contact which irritated your skin. Just an example, I don't have any problem with skin rash with developers, stop baths and fixers.

However, with clothes washing soaps the scented types, with some hair shampoos and hand soaps cause my skin to break out. So I make sure I get unscented stuff but I need to be careful as my wife sometimes thinks I haven't taken a shower when I actually did! I can't use under arm deodorant. What I do is spray it on my T-shirt so as it doesn't touch my skin very much.

Go figure!

Thought I'd mention this as sometimes other stuff combined with photog. chemicals can be a problem. But shouldn't film developing not cause irritant since the stuff is developed in a can or other devices?

I develop film either in the kitchen or family room where I will watch CNBC or CSI or a movie!
Oh, just thought I'd mention my experiences and hope I helped you!
 
grapejohnson said:
How is Rodinal as far as being an irritant? I know most people use it in very diluted forms and it seems to yield great results.
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sevo said:
Rodinal is p-Aminophenol - a strong irritant and allergen, and no wise choice if you already have other developer allergies.
Click to expand...

Rodinal also contains plain old sodium hydroxide, aka lye. It'll take your skin right off given enough time.
 
Benjamin Marks said:
Ilford's ID-11 was rumored to be a phenidone based version of D-76. I don't know whether it is still available, but I had good results from it.
Click to expand...

I looked it up, it's still available, and costs the same as D-76! Since this is still all very new to me I have many other developers to try and many other things to experiment with in time, but I will remember all of these reccomendations when I make my next developer purchase.

I'm pretty sure what caused the irritation is having some chemicals on my fingertips and itching my arm, at least based on the pattern of the rash. I washed my hands thoroughly, but in cleaning the tank and other materials after I might have gotten some on me that way. I haven't used any new products of any kind since then so I'm ruling out the soap, etc hypothesis.
 
Chris101 said:
Rodinal also contains plain old sodium hydroxide, aka lye. It'll take your skin right off given enough time.
Click to expand...

That is a matter of concentration - be cautious with the concentrate, as that has drain cleaner strength. Once it is diluted to working solution, Rodinal is on a par with household cleaners. But you are well advised not to bathe your hands in soap for hours either, or you'll de-grease your skin to the point where it will crack. The same goes for photo chemicals - but that damage can be prevented with gloves, and is repaired with a few applications of rich cream.

The allergy issues are far more ugly - these can grow worse over time, and dust from dried developer splashes can become airborne and might give you asthma. So avoid all and any developers against which you have an allergy. Usually there will be some alternatives which are safe for you, and even if you should have a broadband allergy against every developer, we don't live in film only days any more.
 
Benjamin Marks said:
I'm with Chris on these. In my youth I was pretty casual about using gloves or tongs in the darkroom and I developed a sensitivity to metol based developers. I now wear nitrile gloves for all darkroom processes, even when I am using phenidone based developers. Human skin absorbs thiosulfates (fixers) like a sponge. May I suggest caution, but not paranoia, when using these materials. If you take sensible steps, you should be fine.

Ben

Edit: Ilford's ID-11 was rumored to be a phenidone based version of D-76. I don't know whether it is still available, but I had good results from it.
Click to expand...

ID 11 is pretty much the same formula as D76
 
So far the only reaction to photo chemicals has been with Rodinal...
If I happen to get any on my skin when using it I feel a slight burning sensation...so I just wash off every time I agitate the tank or happen to get any on me...nothing more than that so far...
I don't use gloves (but should)...I do use tongs when printing...
 
In a perfect situation there should be no need to be in physical contact with any of darkroom chemicals, as there should be no leaks or drips from equipment . . . however, in practice these things are certainly possible.

A few layers of newspaper on the bench, changed immediately after each use, should catch any developer/fixer drips before they dry out and become airborne. A roll of kitchen-towels is useful too. Nitrile gloves (a standard very cheap item from your pharmacist, properly named "nitrile examination gloves") will protect the hands when necessary.

The least likely problem, but perhaps the most serious, is if you manage to get anything in the eyes - very possibly through a 'dirty' finger rather than actual splashes. A pair of safety-specs will quickly remind you, if one has any urge to forgetfully rub ones eyes!

If there is any metol allergy then Xtol, Rodinal or Ilfosol(?) should work fine. There is even a complete range of 'Eco' chemistry from Moersch which is extremely high quality in all respects (results, working life, disposability), but possibly not available in the US.

In general, treat all these things with common sense just as though they are one of the more unpleasant household-chemicals, and read the instructions!
 
I got some arm length gloves and wore long sleeves, put down newspaper as recommended, and kept everything in the sink. I made sure that if I got anything on me I'd wash it off. I had no issues! I was just really reckless the first time. I appreciate everyone's help!
 
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