handling precautions?

[someone_else]

I know the basics of how toxic some chemicals in the collodion wet plate process are and I always wear protective gear while handling them, but one thing I haven't really been able to find out is how dangerous residue might be.

If after loading a plate I touch the camera with my gloves (which are almost certainly covered in some amount of collodion + silver nitrate) should I be worried about handling the camera afterwards without gloves? For how long?

What about the finished plates? If I observe the usual washing procedure (at least 4 minutes) and then varnish them, are they safe to handle without gloves?

[Tin Can]

Good question!

What about eye damage if we scratch an itch?

[Jim Noel]

good question!

What about eye damage if we scratch an itch?

don't!!!

[goamules]

I know the basics of how toxic some chemicals in the collodion wet plate process are and I always wear protective gear while handling them, but one thing I haven't really been able to find out is how dangerous residue might be.

If after loading a plate I touch the camera with my gloves (which are almost certainly covered in some amount of collodion + silver nitrate) should I be worried about handling the camera afterwards without gloves? For how long?

What about the finished plates? If I observe the usual washing procedure (at least 4 minutes) and then varnish them, are they safe to handle without gloves?

What do you think is toxic in wetplates? Nothing is really. Collodion was used to bind wounds in hospitals. The salts can be simple potassium and ammonium iodides which are safe. Silver Nitrate was administered to infants at birth. Developer is iron and vinegar. It's all about as toxic as the household cleaning supplies most people have in their bathrooms. It's not like it's radioactive or anything.

[someone_else]

What do you think is toxic in wetplates?

Silver Nitrate and Cadmium Bromide are some examples.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Silver Nitrate and Cadmium Bromide are some examples.

I would certainly call both chemicals toxic (as are lots of other chemicals). My quick response to concern would be that any remaining silver nitrate is fixed out of the plate and one can easily do wetplate without cadmium bromide.

[Jim Noel]

What do you think is toxic in wetplates? Nothing is really. Collodion was used to bind wounds in hospitals. The salts can be simple potassium and ammonium iodides which are safe. Silver Nitrate was administered to infants at birth. Developer is iron and vinegar. It's all about as toxic as the household cleaning supplies most people have in their bathrooms. It's not like it's radioactive or anything.

A very good answer. Knowledge, careful handling and common sense are the basic tools necessary to prevent personal contamination from most photo chemicals. When I began my log journey through photography Uranium was in a toner, and mercury was a common intensifier.

[Ari]

Maybe not toxic, but silver nitrate can blind you if it gets into your eyes. Nobody wants that.
I've rubbed my eyes by accident with dried silver nitrate on them, so far no problems.
I also try to wash away the silver on my skin with fixer, but it doesn't really work well.
So I tell myself that by washing skin with fixer, I've at least "neutralized" the harmful effects of the silver.

[Two23]

Be very careful about not touching your face at all when doing wet plate, especially after handling a silvered plate. I do have to touch my camera wearing the gloves that have silver on them, and some rubs off onto the wood. I am careful to wipe it all off when I'm done. I've also waxed the wood with micro wax which seems to be protecting it. Other than that just be sure to rinse off your hands when you're done fixing. I also rinse my hands when the plate is in the stop bath, to remove any developer. I always get silver nitrate stains on my hands a often a few spots on my arms but it just wears off. When I get it on my wrist and the thin skin on my forearm it will itch if I don't wash it off quickly.


Kent in SD

[Tin Can]

as a lifelong grease monkey, I am very good at not touching my face with filthy hands

but also wash my hands every hour when working

i have/had plenty of nitrile gloves, masks of all kinds, face shields, tight coverage googles, etc years before our...