romeld
Member
Hey guys,
I received my order for my home developing kit and I decided to use a powder developer and fixer.
The problem is after reading the label in the back, my wife does not want me to make this stuff at home. I have a balcony I can mix it in and my tap goes up to 130F so I don't think I would really need to boil the water and make it in the kitchen.
She would prefer it if I drive to my parents place and make it there and then come back -.-
We also have a newborn which is probably why she doesn't want me touching this stuff at home.
Are her worries sound or should I be fine?
I received my order for my home developing kit and I decided to use a powder developer and fixer.
The problem is after reading the label in the back, my wife does not want me to make this stuff at home. I have a balcony I can mix it in and my tap goes up to 130F so I don't think I would really need to boil the water and make it in the kitchen.
She would prefer it if I drive to my parents place and make it there and then come back -.-
We also have a newborn which is probably why she doesn't want me touching this stuff at home.
Are her worries sound or should I be fine?
Scope79
Established
I think it's safe to mix it outside on a balcony. Once diluted it won't harm anyone (unless you decide to drink it)
P.S You should check ingredients on some of the kitchen or bathroom cleaning sprays, I doubt they are safer than D76!
P.S You should check ingredients on some of the kitchen or bathroom cleaning sprays, I doubt they are safer than D76!
Bill Clark
Veteran
Mix it on the balcony. It’ll help to keep peace! Pour just a small amount of powder into the water, mix it up, then repeat with a small amount, mix, keep doing until it is all mixed. I usually mix until the water is pretty clear until adding more powder. Your wife would cringe at the thought how I mix up my photog chemicals .
I agree, lots of stuff around worse than photography chemicals. Some can be controlled while others can be a challenge.
Use common sense.
Long time sgo, in the Navy, saied up to Vwncouver. Beautiful place. Nice folks.
By the way, congrats on the addition to your family.
I agree, lots of stuff around worse than photography chemicals. Some can be controlled while others can be a challenge.
Use common sense.
Long time sgo, in the Navy, saied up to Vwncouver. Beautiful place. Nice folks.
By the way, congrats on the addition to your family.
jim_jm
Well-known
Obviously you want to avoid breathing the airborne dust while mixing, but I wouldn't be too concerned with toxicity, especially in the relatively low quantities that home darkrooms use. Once it's mixed and dissolved fully, you obviously don't want to ingest it or get it in your eyes. Some folks may have a reaction with skin contact, so gloves would be recommended if that's the case for you.
I heat distilled water on the stove to the proper temp for mixing the stock solution, which goes into a plastic mixing bucket and the powder is gradually poured in while mixing the solution. This helps to minimize airborne dust. This is done outside to avoid the powder getting on any work surfaces, and some folks wear a mask to keep from breathing any in. Don't stir too rapidly or try shaking the container, you want to avoid mixing any air into the solution as this can affect it's shelf life. Just keep stirring and the powder will eventually dissolve.
I frequently rinse my hands during development if I touch any chemicals, but this is mostly to prevent any cross-contamination. Obviously, you want to ensure any darkroom chemicals are stored where children can't reach them. You can also try using HC110, which is a liquid concentrate developer and has an extremely long shelf life. No issues with airborne dust while mixing and just as versatile as D-76.
I heat distilled water on the stove to the proper temp for mixing the stock solution, which goes into a plastic mixing bucket and the powder is gradually poured in while mixing the solution. This helps to minimize airborne dust. This is done outside to avoid the powder getting on any work surfaces, and some folks wear a mask to keep from breathing any in. Don't stir too rapidly or try shaking the container, you want to avoid mixing any air into the solution as this can affect it's shelf life. Just keep stirring and the powder will eventually dissolve.
I frequently rinse my hands during development if I touch any chemicals, but this is mostly to prevent any cross-contamination. Obviously, you want to ensure any darkroom chemicals are stored where children can't reach them. You can also try using HC110, which is a liquid concentrate developer and has an extremely long shelf life. No issues with airborne dust while mixing and just as versatile as D-76.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
You are not mixing a batch of mustard gas, just mix it outside if you and your wife are overly concerned.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
I did it for years with no ill effects. Some developers (metol, which is used in D-76) can cause a skin reaction, like a contact allergy. Wear kitchen rubber gloves and you should be fine. If you mix it on the balcony, my guess is you'll have no problems. Back in the day, I used Ilford ID-11, which was like D-76, but used phenidone as a developing agent instead of metol, which generally did not cause any skin reaction.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I always mix any powdered chemical outdoors. The powder is toxic if you breathe it in, and any chemical is more dangerous to babies than to adults.
What I do is heat up the water indoors, put it in a plastic bucket and carry it outside. I pour in the powder out there, then bring the bucket back inside to stir it until the powder is all dissolved. Once the powder is in the water, even if it is not dissolved, it cannot get in the air for you to breathe it, so it is safe to stir inside.
Here's a video I made showing how I do it.
https://youtu.be/RvfSdlEoFyE
What I do is heat up the water indoors, put it in a plastic bucket and carry it outside. I pour in the powder out there, then bring the bucket back inside to stir it until the powder is all dissolved. Once the powder is in the water, even if it is not dissolved, it cannot get in the air for you to breathe it, so it is safe to stir inside.
Here's a video I made showing how I do it.
https://youtu.be/RvfSdlEoFyE
dave lackey
Veteran
Jeez, ask your doctor. And your wife!
A newborn requires a discerning professional, in my opinion. I use D76. But I would send my film off to an outside lab as I did forever if we had another baby or toddler around.
It was only after our grandchildren (and we kept them for years) were much older before I started developing my own. So, no, I would not have any chemicals that were not absolutely necessary and even then, I would keep them under lock and key.
Even laundry detergent like Tide in the fancy colors.
A newborn requires a discerning professional, in my opinion. I use D76. But I would send my film off to an outside lab as I did forever if we had another baby or toddler around.
It was only after our grandchildren (and we kept them for years) were much older before I started developing my own. So, no, I would not have any chemicals that were not absolutely necessary and even then, I would keep them under lock and key.
Even laundry detergent like Tide in the fancy colors.
julio1fer
Well-known
You can mix it outdoors for peace of mind.
FWIW, I have used D-76 for about 50 years, both prepared from Kodak bags and mixed at home from the chemicals. I have always mixed it inside rooms, either a darkroom or the kitchen, without the least negative effect. With normal care there should be no problems at all, components are not that toxic or harmful. The most plentiful component, sulfite, is actually a food additive!
FWIW, I have used D-76 for about 50 years, both prepared from Kodak bags and mixed at home from the chemicals. I have always mixed it inside rooms, either a darkroom or the kitchen, without the least negative effect. With normal care there should be no problems at all, components are not that toxic or harmful. The most plentiful component, sulfite, is actually a food additive!
Steve M.
Veteran
It's not going to do much good asking your doctor because I highly doubt that they have a clue what is in D76. Just mix it on the balcony like everyone else suggested and you'll be fine. You really would have to stand right over it and breathe in the fumes to be at risk of anything. Outdoors, no risk at all to anyone.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
The devil you don't know is always worse than the one you do. Realistically, the cleaners sitting in your cabinet under the sink are much worse than D76 powdered concentrate. Comet cleaner, Raid spray, some metal cleaners, powdered detergent, all at least as bad, if not worse than most photo chemistry in the solutions we use them in. If you start getting into using a dichromate, then some more serious safety measures and isolation should be done.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
mcfingon
Western Australia
Kodak Xtol claims to be less toxic than D76, and is safe to use with a septic system. I find Xtol finer-grained and sharper than D76 also. So, you may like to consider that next time. I still mix the power outdoors to minimise inhaling dust.
znapper
Well-known
I find the warnings on those things to be exaggerated a lot.
The only time I've actually used (the oven) fan, was when I mixed a batch of ammonia based monobath.
I generally have a stock of measuring-cups and utensils for mixing chemicals, so I don't use kitchen stuff, but I have been know to use regular kitchen-ware for caffenol for example.
I often mix stuff up in the bathroom, where I develop my films.
As long as you clean up any mess, and store the chemicals far up and out of reach of nosy children so the child will not ingest anything, you will be perfectly fine.
I think you need to work many hours, daily, with regular BW developers to need any form of actual protection.
The highest risk is staining if you spill something.
Dogman
Veteran
We live in the time of the California warning: "Everything causes cancer". Meaningless phrases since manufacturers often put such warnings on items just to cover their rears or meet legal requirements. I've had a package of dried fruit with the California warning on it. The fruit came from California.
Even so, just go out on the balcony and mix the damn chemicals. Wives are always right.
Even so, just go out on the balcony and mix the damn chemicals. Wives are always right.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
When I was a poor student this was always the cheapest form of chemistry.
I inhaled plenty of D76 and Kodak fixer. It was irritating, though I can't
be sure of any long term health effects. It was annoying and unpleasant.
Now that I am older and not so strapped for cash I don't develop as often.
I now prefer long-lasting liquid concentrates, e.g. HC110 and Rodinal etc.
Chris
I inhaled plenty of D76 and Kodak fixer. It was irritating, though I can't
be sure of any long term health effects. It was annoying and unpleasant.
Now that I am older and not so strapped for cash I don't develop as often.
I now prefer long-lasting liquid concentrates, e.g. HC110 and Rodinal etc.
Chris
newsgrunt
Well-known
if it means keeping the peace, mix outside, but as others have noted, D76 is not a problem and I've spent countless hours in front of a large mixer dumping packet upon packet of this stuff. If you're really concerned, add the chemistry slowly so you don't get a cloud of powder.
B-9
Devin Bro
Get yourself a mask at your local hardware...
At least a decent one for fine dust (likely labeled for drywall).
I’ve mixed D76 without ever concerning myself, inside, with the dog watching. Common sense and a little care go a long way. I agree with mixing a tablespoon at a time and you’ll never need the mask.
Now to strip chrome off cameras, I typically wear a full respirator, dunk the parts and run. That stuff will melt the nose off your snot.
At least a decent one for fine dust (likely labeled for drywall).
I’ve mixed D76 without ever concerning myself, inside, with the dog watching. Common sense and a little care go a long way. I agree with mixing a tablespoon at a time and you’ll never need the mask.
Now to strip chrome off cameras, I typically wear a full respirator, dunk the parts and run. That stuff will melt the nose off your snot.
retinax
Well-known
I think I've read this tip on here, so I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet: If concerned about dust, you can submerge the packet of powder in the water and only then cut it open. Wear gloves without powdery stuff on the outside and use clean scissors, obviously.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Do not touch it. You will die immediately and horribly, just as you will die immediately and horribly from unprotected sex, cholesterol, alcohol, red meat, preserved meat, salt, sugar, breathing in cities, not eating five vegetables a day, too much exercise and too little exercise.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
retinax
Well-known
And here's another post dramatizing the danger in anything fun. Modern rubbish, OP's toddler will be ok.