Dark Room Equipment and Chemicals

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

03/15/2007 05:16:39 AM · #1

Okay...as some of you know I have taken over the role of President of the Photo Club here. Today the committee received the paperwork and equipment belonging to the club. Amongst it was some Darkroom Equipment. I remember a few years ago they were discussing this equipment and what to do with it. They were concerned back then that the chemicals were out of date and it seems no one wanted them. Well below is the list of goods. What we are concerned about is where we live experiences extreme temperatures. From 1 degree Celsuis in Winter (has been lower) to around 50 degrees Celsuis in Summer. These chemicals have been stored all this time in a garden shed!! Upon discussion with a committee member who was around 10 years ago we find that this equipment/chemicals were around back then. So we don't know how hold they actually are. No one seems to want this stuff.

So...can anyone tell me what is the best option for this stuff. I have to take all options to the meeting next month. I am considering donating the main equipment to a school (hopefully they will take it) but even so...please...options people.

LIST

3 x 5 litre bottles (Ilford Acetic Acid 90%)
1 x 1 litre bottle Ilford in-1 Indicator Stop Bath
5 x black cylinders (4 film developing tank)
1 x Black & White Enlarger
1 x Toner
1 x Red Light Bulb
1 x Polycontrast filter kit (Kodak)
1 x large Thermometer
3 x packets Ilford Multigrade filter sets
3 x packets anti-newton ring glass for "U" carriers
2 x 12v 75w lights (no glass)
1 x 240v 75w light bulb
2 x silver 'tongs'
2 x trays
1 x plastic jug
1 x funnel

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

03/15/2007 05:18:59 AM · #2

Hazardous substance recycling center. Call your local garbage hauler and find out where to take chemicals, then just dispose of it.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

03/15/2007 05:20:36 AM · #3

Originally posted by chimericvisions:

Hazardous substance recycling center. Call your local garbage hauler and find out where to take chemicals, then just dispose of it.

That was our first thoughts so we did look into that. There is a company that comes out this way a couple of times a year. We have to hold onto them until them if we are going to dispose of them. Otherwise we cop a hefty fine. In the meantime cross our fingers they don't catch fire or whatever. Great around kids!

Message edited by author 2007-03-15 05:21:04.

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

03/15/2007 05:25:39 AM · #4

Originally posted by Judi:

Yeah, I didn't think about you being in Oz... there are several places within comfortable driving distance of me that will handle chemicals and hazardous substances (batteries, computer monitors/TVs, etc.), so I take it for granted.

bassbone

Nikon Z8

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

03/15/2007 06:44:01 AM · #5

Judi

A response from your friendly neighborhood chemical engineer...

You are right to be careful with strong concentrations of acetic acid and other photographic chemicals. It can give strong burns to the skin, irritates the eyes, it is toxic at high concentrations, etc. Just note that this is the same acid in vinegar (albeit at MUCH MUCH higher concentrations). It has an extremely noxious smell etc.

From a fire perspective, these chemicals are not particularly bad. I am attaching a link to a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that describes in details the precausions and hazards). I would highly recommend not opening these containers. This compound does have a flash point of about 40C, so I would not store it in a building that is going to get that hot.

Acetic Acid MSDS

If one on these containers does leak or spill, use copious amounts of water to dilute it and wash it away. Diluting with water will minimize the flammability.

I would think that if you can store it in a somewhat temperature controlled environment until it can be sent for disposal, you should be alright.

I hope this helps.

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by chimericvisions:
Hazardous substance recycling center. Call your local garbage hauler and find out where to take chemicals, then just dispose of it.

That was our first thoughts so we did look into that. There is a company that comes out this way a couple of times a year. We have to hold onto them until them if we are going to dispose of them. Otherwise we cop a hefty fine. In the meantime cross our fingers they don't catch fire or whatever. Great around kids!

alfresco

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/15/2007 07:16:16 AM · #6

Unfortunate, so unfortunate.

I see an excellent opportunity for serendipitous beauty to come from those stop baths, it would be a utter shame to dispose of them. I would suggest finding an enterprising person who wanted to push their creativity to the ends.

Of course the end result could be a normal product, but maybe not.

Sorrow for the demise of the chemical darkroom :(

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

03/15/2007 08:47:15 PM · #7

Thanks everyone for your help with this. I will put all the information in this thread/on the images/emailed to me to the club next month.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

03/16/2007 12:37:12 AM · #8

You could always donate the 'worthless' enlarger to me, I guarantee it would be put to use. Then again, shipping it might end up costing more than a decent used one here anyway.