DEAR LIST,
I have posted this info a number of times before. When I was a
student and beginning photog, "real men don't use tongs or gloves" was the
rap. As a result I needed medical treatment to remove phenols (most dev
agents) and some metals from my liver using chelation. Further, I love pyro
devs and Gordon Hutchins in his BOOK OF PYRO points out that pyrogallol is
both a toxin and carcinogen...you choose to die quickly or slowly...if you
don't wear gloves.
The "no glove" rule was in direct contradiction to the lab
safety techniques I learned in both undergrad and grad Photo Chem Lab at
RIT. Thank god I returned to the fold and, for many decades, have used
tongs when possible and gloves when not. I prefer working with gloves as
tongs don't let me handle the prints as carefully. I also prefer the more
puncture proof (and therefore thinner and more tactile) nitrile exam gloves
as I am also allergic to latex...as are many people.
CHEERS!
BOB
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