Respirators

[tunebomb]

I'm about to start processing BW film at home in my kitchen. Unfortunately I live in an apartment with no central air or ventilation. For this reason I feel that having a respirator would be very important. I'm not 100% sure WHAT kind of respirator I want. Ideally I would like to buy locally (I live in Ottawa Canada).

So far I have found this, but what I'm not sure of is if it's sufficient for the fumes given off by film chemicals.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=62067&cat=1,42207,42220

Any thoughts, comments or tips on setting up a home dev environment with regard to the fumes given off by the chemistry?

 

[sanmich]

Mhhh..not enough.
try this:

http://www.brianstoys.com/store/images/products/Star%20Wars/MasterReplica/Accessories/MasterReplica_DarthVaderHelmet.jpg

Seriously, unless you plan to mix powder chemicals, as far as I know, no need for a respirator..

 

[Paddy C]

I'm about to start processing BW film at home in my kitchen. Unfortunately I live in an apartment with no central air or ventilation. For this reason I feel that having a respirator would be very important. I'm not 100% sure WHAT kind of respirator I want. Ideally I would like to buy locally (I live in Ottawa Canada).

So far I have found this, but what I'm not sure of is if it's sufficient for the fumes given off by film chemicals.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=62067&cat=1,42207,42220

Any thoughts, comments or tips on setting up a home dev environment with regard to the fumes given off by the chemistry?

When I took a darkroom class two years ago at SPAO (I live in Ottawa too), I ended up buying a respirator because the fumes were a bit strong for me.

IIRC, what you have linked to is what I bought (though I got it at a shop in the east end). The organic vapour filter is what you need for the types of chemicals and fumes created when working with photographic chemicals.

It's been some time since I did the research, however, so someone else might be able to confirm this.

 

[finguanzo]

funny Sanmich...
I guess some people are more sensative to smells, I dont even notice unless I put my nose in the beakers..

 

[sanmich]

funny Sanmich...
I guess some people are more sensative to smells, I dont even notice unless I put my nose in the beakers..

Fair enough...
I thought the issue is health, and chemical powders are definitely a concern.
Smell? I personally feel that working with a gas mask on my face is by far more a problem then the level of smell I get from chemicals.
I do use a fan to move air into the lab during long printing sessions, though.

 

[tunebomb]

Seriously, unless you plan to mix powder chemicals, as far as I know, no need for a respirator..

hahaha I didn't read the link before clicking. nice one.

I do plan on mixing some powder chemicals in fact.

When I took a darkroom class two years ago at SPAO (I live in Ottawa too), I ended up buying a respirator because the fumes were a bit strong for me.

IIRC, what you have linked to is what I bought (though I got it at a shop in the east end). The organic vapour filter is what you need for the types of chemicals and fumes created when working with photographic chemicals.

It's been some time since I did the research, however, so someone else might be able to confirm this.

Thanks, hopefully someone can corroborate that, but I figured it was what I needed (with the organic vapour filter).

 

[MartinP]

I am wondering what weird exotic chemicals you are expecting to use ? The only thing that has a smell is the fixer, and that only if you buy a 'smelly' one instead of 'non-smelly'.

Ventilation is usually plentiful in purpose built darkrooms, but then people (me, long ago) are in there ten hours a day. A simple extractor fan hooked up near the door/window and inside a corrugated-cardboard box light-trap would be quite sufficient at home. In my set-up I have no water-supply in the temporary darkroom so am constantly opening the door anyway - this seems enough.

 

[sanmich]

I do plan on mixing some powder chemicals in fact.

In that case, I would also be concerned about the particule deposit, and I would also try to filter the air in the room. Have you thought of an HEPA filter/ or odor/particle filter?

 

[tunebomb]

@ MartinP - Last I checked the chemistry used in film processing wasn't exactly good for you. I'm going to be mixing chemistry and processing film with said chemistry in my kitchen. Anything coming off those chemicals is gonna be going straight in my lungs as there is no airflow in my kitchen.

I'm not doing any darkroom stuff, just film processing.

In that case, I would also be concerned about the particule deposit, and I would also try to filter the air in the room. Have you thought of an HEPA filter/ or odor/particle filter?

I'm asking here about what I need for that exact reason.

What exactly is a HEPA filter, and if it's something you think I may need, where do I get one?

 

[sanmich]

tunebomb,

Chemical powders ARE a hazard.
I would never mix powders in a non ventilated place, much less so in my kitchen.
Can you stick to liquid chemicals?

 

[tunebomb]

The only powder I got was stop or hypoclear so I don't mind just selling that and getting liquid locally instead.

So if I ditch the powder chemistry do you think a respirator will be sufficient?

 

[RayPA]

...
So far I have found this, but what I'm not sure of is if it's sufficient for the fumes given off by film chemicals.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=62067&cat=1,42207,42220

Any thoughts, comments or tips on setting up a home dev environment with regard to the fumes given off by the chemistry?

It's tough to advise on something like this, because it's always best to be on the safe side. But I think that mask is overkill for small-scale tank processing and chemical mixing, unless you are hyper-sensitive to fumes and chemicals--in which case you will probably want elbow-length gloves, an apron, and goggles, too. I think that a filtering surgical face mask should be fine. A mask like the one at your link is great for working in a darkroom where you're mixing up large batches of chemistry (been there, done that, wore one).

You have to be your own judge of what you need. I'm in an apartment too, and I process my film in the kitchen or the bathroom. I use stainless steel tanks. For me, the fumes are not bad at all. Fixer is usually the strongest smelling chemical. I've gotten around that by using PhotoFormulary's TF4 (which has virtually no scent).

good luck.

 

[tunebomb]

More than anything, I'm worried about the long term effects of exposure to fumes in a poorly ventilated environment. I will be using gloves and an apron and goggles as well, but when I did all this at university, I didn't have to use a respirator because the place was really well ventilated. So it's on that subject that I'm unsure.

By the way, thank you everyone for the replies.

 

[david.elliott]

If you're really worried, consult with the chemical manufacturers to see what they recommend.

If you have some preexisting health concern, then consult with your doctor.

Or, just break out a biohazard suit!

 

[polaski]

Extract air

Extract air

Martin P has it right. You can get a small dual fan that pulls air out of the area and place that and your chemicals accordingly. Fits in a double hung window with about ten inches of space. You can jury-rig any other type of window.

 

[MartinP]

The worries seem unusual though. I have never seen powdered stop bath, and you can go without for most films anyway (use a water-rinse) and hypoclear is unnecesary for films.

Unless your tank leaks heavily there will be zero skin contact with any chemicals and minimal vapour-hazard. To minimse this even further I'd suggest keeping your measuring beakers covered (eg.clingfilm) until you need them, and dump used liquids quickly but gently down the sink with plenty of water.

If you have had any previous medical complications from earlier chemical-vapour injuries (for example, having an accident with organic-solvents in your workplace) then do not use any photo-chemicals at all. Also avoid oven-cleaners, petrol/diesel, household paint, toilet bleach etc. You only get one life and all these chemicals are more dangerous than the photographic ones.

Edit: Just to add that, if necessary, you can still use C41 process black-and-white film then scan it to print on some sort of inkjet. That workflow is used by quite a few people here I think.

 

[sevo]

The worries seem unusual though. I have never seen powdered stop bath, and you can go without for most films anyway (use a water-rinse) and hypoclear is unnecesary for films.

Powdered stop bath exists - but that is just citric acid, and nothing where a respirator might be of any use. And hypo clearing agent is even more harmless. As a matter of fact, I haven't come across any still marketed pre-mixed photo chemical whose safety sheet recommends a respirator. You may need a dust mask when handling large amounts of powder developer, but otherwise goggles, gloves and a plastic apron are all you need even at professional lab scale.

A respirator or protective overalls aren't necessary unless you start dabbling in the more poisonous among alternative processes (like daguerrotype or gum bichromate).

 

[Tom A]

I suspect you are over-reacting here. Liquid developers and fix is stable and does not really emit any "hazardous fumes". Mixing developers from scratch can occasionally give an allergic reaction (metol can be the culprit). Unless you start using Pyro Catechol you are fine. Hypo is a mess to mix from powder so stick with liquid fixer.
If you are going to mix powder developers/fixers - do it outside. Once mixed they are safe.
The smelly stuff (stop bath) - is just that "smelly" - it is a strong vinegar and no more dangerous than that.
I have been doing it for 40+ years and, though some people might disagree' it has not affected me too badly! All right, it could be reason for my fetish of collecting Leica IXMOO cassettes. Doctoral thesis anyone?
If you have any reactions (rash, itchiness) just make it a habit to use gloves when working with developers and fix.

 

[tunebomb]

Thanks, it's really something I didn't know anything about so I turned to here to see what you guys thought. The hypoclear was cheap so I don't mind finding a liquid one. So it looks like I don't need a respirator after all. All the other things, gloves, apron, goggles were something I was going to do.