Carbon Transfer Video

[eclarke]

Excellent!! I'm also happy to see any darkroom video..Evan Clarke

[R Shaffer]

Great job. Really enjoyed the video.

I'm gonna try the alcohol spritz just prior to pouring the tissue.

[gmikol]

Dichromate is a highly toxic and corrosive carcinogen which should be used with great care. It is therefore quite alarming to see a how-to video intended primarily for novices...[snip]...I suggest the video be modified and/or a warning be posted in the comments section.

Charles, there is no doubt that dichromate is a substance which must be treated with care. I disagree with you on a couple of points, though.

1) This is not really a how-to video, so much as it is an overview, as Andrew described it and as I see it. It is much less detailed, IMO, than the video you posted a number of days ago of Tod Gangler prepping and pouring a magenta tissue. That might properly be called a "how-to" video.

2) Nowhere in the video does Andrew identify the sensitzer as a dichromate compound. It is simply identified as "sensitizer". As carbon printers we, of course, recognize it as being dichromate.

I think it's reasonable to assume that for anyone interested in the process from a purely informational standpoint (i.e. to understand the general nature of the process or how it differs from other conventional or alt- processes), the exact nature of the sensitizer (and the risks associated with handling it) are not really relevant. It's also reasonable to assume (IMO) that anyone interested in the process from a practical standpoint, and who has educated themselves to the point of equating sensitizer = dichromate, is most likely aware of the risks of dealing with dichromate.

If one were to plaster that video with warnings about the hazards of handling dichromate, then the message of the video becomes "Carbon printing is a toxic process". Perhaps a more general, "Please remember to handle all chemicals with appropriate care." warning?

Just my $0.02

--Greg

[Leigh B]

[QUOTE=CMB;1193998]

Dichromate is a highly toxic and corrosive carcinogen which should be used with great care. It is therefore quite alarming to see a how-to video intended primarily for novices in which dichromate sensitized carbon tissue is handled at various stages using gloveless hands.

Charles,

It's the responsibility of every practitioner to evaluate the safety of their materials and processes.

That's true in every industry. I'm a machinist, and can tell you that most powered machine tools will kill you if you permit it. But only IF YOU permit it.

It is NOT the responsibility of every educator to explain every possible hazard. If they waste time doing such, the information being conveyed gets lost in the noise.

Our modern society is tending strongly to support the concept that individuals are not responsible for their actions, but society in general IS responsible for the actions of the individual.

What hogwash.

- Leigh

[Andrew O'Neill]

I always wear gloves. You can see that I am wearing gloves, but forgot for a few scenes. Sorry about that!

[CMB]

OK, OK, I'm easy.

Lets accept the statement that this is not a How to video (and therefore not responsible for its contents) and that posting Health and Safety information is symptomatic of much that is wrong with America today.

I still have a question:

Why is the worker in the video not wearing gloves to protect his hands when handling dichromate?

Possible answers:

1. He is unaware of the serious risks of using dichromate without protective covering.

2. He doesn't care.

"Forgetting to put them on" seems to be a combination of 1 & 2.

Even Sandy King, who reports having poured dichromate into his septic tank for over 20 years with "no risk", advises workers: "You should also plan to wear protective gloves (latex or nitrile) when immersing your hands in water solutions that contain dichromate, as for example when mating the sensitized and exposed tissue to its final support. The very weak dichromate solutions are not toxic at this point but they can cause severe dermatological problems over time if you work without gloves."

Cheers,

Charles

[eclarke]

[QUOTE=CMB;1193998]

Here is a video I made. It's an overview of the carbon transfer printing process.

Dichromate is a highly toxic and corrosive carcinogen which should be used with great care. It is therefore quite alarming to see a how-to video intended primarily for novices in which dichromate sensitized carbon tissue is handled at various stages using gloveless hands. The procedure shown is dangerous not only for its potential for contact dermatitis but also for poisoning if the contaminated fingers come into contact with the mouth or food of the process worker. Furthermore, dichromate in the power form (e.g.weighing) can be lethal if inhaled and a toxic dust mask should be worn. I suggest the video be modified and/or a warning be posted in the comments section.

Charles Berger

Charles, do you work in an office, even worse in a government office? Evan Clarke

[Leigh B]

Why is the worker in the video not wearing gloves to protect his hands when handling dichromate?

I just viewed the video again to be sure of the sequence of events.

At no point in the sensitizing process did he "handle" dichromate, hence no need for gloves.

At all times he used a utensil or container.

- Leigh

[CMB]

At no point in the sensitizing process did he "handle" dichromate, hence no need for gloves.
- Leigh

Thank you Leigh for your erroneous statement that since dichromate was never handled without using a utensil or container there is/was "no need for gloves."

This illustrates the need for more information about the toxicity of dichromate. Although the forum archives are replete with examples and warnings about the use of dichromate, including specific instructions to wear gloves "when mating the sensitized and exposed tissue to its final support" (which was clearly done without gloves in the video), many workers are still not fully cognizant of the dangers involved in the dichromate colloid process.

I hope that these conversations will raise awareness of the very serious health issues caused by the unprotected use (and disposal) of dichromate.

[michaelbsc]

I think I'm going to drink half a bottle of Iodine.

Chill. There's nowhere near enough information in the video to try it. So by the time one could do some research you would know about the chemicals.

Le