UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS

Safety in the Darkroom University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Department of Environmental Health and Safety

www.uccs.edu/~pusafety/environmental/index.shtml

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So why am I required to take this safety course?

Whether you are an amateur orseeking to be a professional photographer –

We want you to be healthy and safe

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• Chemical – Darkroom exposure to chemical agents that

may lead to respiratory, allergic and nervous system disease

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Working in the darkroom exposes you to many toxic chemicals in a short time period – continued darkroom work could potentially

be hazardous to your health.

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In order to have a safe experience, every student must know and follow safe

practices. Every student should know:

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• General Safety Procedures• What are the hazards – how do I protect

myself

• What do I do if an accident occurs• How do I dispose of the wastes I generate

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General Safety Procedures

• Eating or drinking in the darkroom is strictly forbidden!

• Never drink from anything in the darkroom. • Do not sniff or taste chemicals.

• Do not keep food, food container, or drinking glasses in areas with chemicals.

Objective: to learn the basic rules to keep you safe while working in the darkroom

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Photography Darkroom Rules to Live By:

• Do not use unlabeled substances and always return items to their proper place.

• Become familiar with all the inherent dangers associated with any chemicals being used.

• Assume any unfamiliar chemical is hazardous.• All outside chemicals must be approved by a faculty

member and a MSDS provided.

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Photography Darkroom Rules to Live By:

• Consider a mixture to be at least as hazardous as its most hazardous component.

• Never combine chemicals unless explicitly instructed to do so. Follow chemical-mixing instructions precisely.

• Wash your hands immediately after using chemicals and thoroughly when leaving the darkroom area.

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Photography Darkroom Rules to Live By:

• Always use tongs and/or gloves when handling photographic chemistry.

• The only place that you may use bare hands is to remove prints from the water bath or to wash prints.

• Developers are toxic, especially if absorbed through the skin over long periods of time. Fixers are acidic.

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Photography Darkroom Rules to Live By:

• Clean up chemical spills IMMEDIATELY. Notify the faculty member or Environmental Health and Safety if the spill is larger than a “cups” worth of liquid.

• To prevent evaporation or release of toxic vapors and gases, cover all solutions when not in use.

• Do not store chemicals that may react with each other in the same area.

Dress appropriately in the darkroom

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• Confine long hair and loose clothing when in the darkroom.

• Never wear sandals or open toed shoes in the laboratory.

• Wear appropriate protective clothing, such as gloves and safety glasses/goggles.

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• These guidelines are not designed to produce paranoia but to ensure your safety as well as those working around you.

• Remember that your eyes, lungs, and skin are porous membranes and can absorb chemical vapors.

• It is YOUR job to protect YOURSELF!

What are the hazards

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Objective: to learn about where to find out about the hazards involved in working with photographic chemicals

This section will cover• Material Safety Data Sheets• Warning Labels• Hazards associated with common chemicals used in

photographic development

Note: this is the section of the quiz that most students miss – be sure to read carefully and take notes

What are the hazards

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• Most darkroom users never experience negative side effects to photographic chemistries, but there is always the risk of exposure.

• Be sure to be aware of the risks outlined in this document before using the darkroom.

Potential for Chemical Exposure

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• Acute toxicity– Adverse reaction as a result of exposure to large

volumes of chemistry over a short period of time– The product of unsafe handling or spillage of chemistries– Very rare

Potential for Chemical Exposure

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• Chronic toxicity– Adverse reaction as a result of repeated exposure

typically to low levels of chemistry over a long period of time

– Every chemical used in the darkroom has the potential to have a negative effect on your health

– Preventable through proper handling of chemicals and proper use of personal protective equipment

Potential for Chemical Exposure

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4 ways that photographic chemistry can enter your body

1. Eye or Skin contact and absorption

2. Ingestion

3. Inhalation of dry chemical dust/powders and/or vapors

4. Cross contamination to food, clothes or other non-lab materials.

Material Safety Data Sheets

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The MSDS is the first source of information regarding the chemicals used in the photographic development

process.

They are kept on file.

In the photo lab – the MSDSs on in a notebook on the desk in the classroom

Material Safety Data Sheets

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The MSDS contains the following information. • Section I – Identity of the Chemical• Section II – Hazardous Identity/Ingredients• Section III – Physical/Chemical Characteristics• Section IV – Fire and Explosion Hazard Data• Section V – Reactivity Data• Section VI – Health Hazard Data• Section VII – Precautions for Safe Handling and Use• Section VIII – Control Measures

Hazard Warning Labels

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• Read the hazard warning label every time you handle a chemical.

• The most common type of hazard label is the one developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

• You should be familiar with the meanings of the label. It is described on the next few slides.

(Note: You WILL be tested on this.)

Hazard Warning Labels

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The NFPA label is divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant describes a specific hazard:

Blue = healthRed = flammability Yellow = reactivityWhite = special hazards

Hazard Warning Labels

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Numbers in the three colored quadrants indicate the degree of hazard, from 0-4:

0=Minimal Hazard 1=Slight Hazard

2=Moderate Hazard3=Serious Hazard4=Severe Hazard

Hazard Warning Labels

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The specific hazard in the white is abbreviated. Some of the common abbreviations are:  A. OXY=Oxidizer B. ACID=Acid C. ALK=Alkali D. COR=Corrosive E. W=use no water F. The radiation symbol

Darkroom Process Hazards

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This is an overview of the potential hazards found in darkroom chemistry. A detailed listing by process step and specific chemicals is available under resources for this course.

We will review the following hazards:• Inhalation of chemical vapors

• Dermal contact with chemicals• Metals exposure

• Mixing photochemicals

 

Inhalation of Chemical Vapors

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• Many photo processing chemicals have distinctive odors which can provide a warning of their presence

• People’s abilities to detect odors varies – so odors alone are never a good indicator of hazardous conditions

• Ventilation is necessary in all types of photography work• Have a keen awareness of what is happening while you are

mixing and using chemicals• Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer• If breathing ever becomes difficult – leave the darkroom and

get fresh air immediately

Dermal Contact with Chemicals

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• Always use gloves and safety glasses• Use other personal protective equipment as appropriate (e.g.

aprons)• Use tongs to move prints in and between baths• Avoid wiping your face or eyes while in the darkroom• Wash hands or skin thoroughly after any contact with

chemicals or when leaving the darkroom.• If you experience any skin irritation, seek medical assistance.

 

Metals Exposure

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• Repeated dermal contact with silver may lead to contact dermatitis or

• Generalized allergic reaction to silver• Open cuts exposed to silver may acquire a permanent black

coloring• Ingestion of silver, may result in a medically benign but

permanent bluish-gray discoloration of the skin

 

Mixing Photochemicals

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• Mixing the powdered products can allow chemicals to become airborne – perform these tasks either in a vented hood or wearing an approved dust mask

• Always wear gloves and safety glasses when mixing chemicals

• ALWAYS ADD ACID to water – never the other way around• Clearly label all chemicals• Know where your emergency equipment is located• Check the eyewash station before starting the mixing process

 

What should I do if an accident occurs?

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Learning about the safety equipment in the darkroom can save your life. You must know the location of all of

the safety equipment and how to use it. Before you start using the darkroom, your instructor will show

you where all of the safety equipment is in the darkroom and will tell you how to use the equipment.

He/she will demonstrate the use of the eyewash stations. 

Objective: to learn about safety equipment that can be used when an accident occurs and how to handle an accidental spill

What to do for chemical spills?

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Inhalation of chemistry

• Remove the person to fresh air• Stay with them until you are sure they are ok

• If symptoms persist, call campus police or 911• Report the incident to your instructor

The primary concern during a spill is protection of people – protection of property is important but is secondary

What to do for chemical spills?

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Ingestion of chemistry

• Remove the person from the area• Call poison control 1-800-222-1222

• Have someone locate the MSDS for instructions• Call campus police or 911

• Report the incident to your instructor

What to do for chemical spills?

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Chemical Splash Into Eyes

• Immediately flush for 15 minutes with cold water at an eye wash station

• Always remove and dispose of contacts immediately after contamination

• Call campus police or 911• Seek medical treatment

• Report the incident to your instructor

What to do for chemical spills?

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Chemical Splash Onto Skin

• Immediately flush for 15 minutes with cold water• Seek medical attention if symptoms develop (rash or

hives are typical symptoms)• Call campus police or 911 if additional assistance is

needed• Report the incident to your instructor

What to do for chemical spills?

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If a chemical has spilled on the bench top, the floor, but not on a person, do the following: • Contact the faculty member and report the content of the spill. • Do not try to clean up the spill yourself unless you have specific instructions

from qualified personnel and are comfortable executing their instructions. • Evacuate all non-essential personnel from the area. • Neutralize any acid spills using a buffering agent prior to cleaning up with

inert or other non-reactive adsorbents; use acid spill kits for small to medium size spills.

• Use a damp towel or sponge to clean up spills of dusts and powders.• Be sure to always use personal protective equipment when cleaning up

spills.• Properly dispose of spill clean-up materials• Replenish your spill clean-up supplies

What to do for chemical spills?

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No matter how small,

Accidents must be reported

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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You finish your work in a darkroom and, you probably wonder whether there are regulations

that pertain to pouring chemicals down the drain. These chemicals can impact the

environment if their waste is not managed properly.

Objective: to learn the proper way to safely dispose of spent chemicals utilized in the darkroom process

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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A typical darkroom and/or photographic lab can potentially generate hazardous

waste as a result of the photograph development process.

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the implementing federal regulations at 40 CFR Parts 260-272

govern hazardous waste management

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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The overall intent of RCRA is to manage hazardous waste from generation to ultimate

disposal.

“cradle to grave”

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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UCCS generates, stores and sends off site for disposal one or more of the following hazardous materials/wastes:• Developers (hydroquinone and sodium sulfite)• Stop baths (acetic acid or similar)• Fixers (sodium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite, sodium

bisulfite, potassium aluminum, boric acid, silver)• Hypo eliminators (ammonia and iodine)• Intensifiers (mercuric chloride, mercuric iodide,

potassium cyanide)• Reducers (alkali cyanide salts and carbon tetrachloride)• Toners (gold, selenium, uranium, lead or similar metal)

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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The most common byproduct of this process that can become a hazardous waste is "spent fixer" which is regulated by state and federal

hazardous waste regulations“spent fixer” contains silver at concentrations

that would make the material meet the definition of hazardous waste

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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The photo lab collects “spent fixer” in a drum. When the drum is full, Environmental Health & Safety takes care of arranging for disposal of

the “spent fixer” as a hazardous wasteNO other materials should be placed in the

“spent fixer” waste drum

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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• Unused toners, fixers, reducers, developers, intensifiers and stop bath liquid should not be

poured down the drain

• These often have to be treated as hazardous waste due to their corrosive nature

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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• Under UCCS’s current industrial waste water discharge permit – spent developer and the

water based stop baths may be poured down the drain

• If in doubt ask your instructor

How do I dispose of the waste I generate

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• Students should ask instructions about the proper disposal procedures

• Instructors will have received guidance from Environmental Health & Safety on the proper disposal procedure for each photochemical

and or empty container

Summary

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During this training you should have learned:• General Safety Procedures• What are the hazards – how do I protect

myself• What do I do if an accident occurs• How do I dispose of the wastes I generate

Summary

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The information presented here is intended to help you to protect your health while you enjoy

your art.We want you to be safe & healthy.

If you have questions, contactEnvironmental Health & Safety

255-3201 or 255-3212

Summary

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You are now ready to take the quiz. Be sure to review any areas that you do not fully

understand or remember.