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Safe Handling of Photographic Processing Chemicals • J-98A 3
• Avoid contact with chemicals
whenever possible. Handle
chemical solutions carefully to
avoid splashing. Keep all PPE
(gloves, goggles, apron, etc.) free
of chemical residues.
• Wear the proper gloves. Do not
use gloves sold for household use;
they may not be durable enough
for handling photographic
processing chemicals. Neoprene
or nitrile gloves protect you from
photographic processing
chemicals. To minimize the
possibility of chemicals coming in
contact with your bare hands,
rinse gloves thoroughly with
water before taking them off. On
a regular basis or if chemicals get
inside the gloves, wash them
inside and out, and hang them by
the fingertips to dry.
– Check gloves regularly for
pinholes, leaks, or tears.
– Dispose of gloves when they
are damaged or begin to
degrade.
• In case of contact with chemicals,
wash your hands or other
affected skin areas immediately
with plenty of water. If you get an
alkaline solution, such as
developer, on your skin, wash
with a pH-balanced cleanser (like
Phisoderm, Sulfo Hand Cleaner,
or pH6). Ordinary soaps, which
are alkaline, may not be as
effective.
• Protect skin abrasions or cuts.
The risk of contact dermatitis is
increased if chemicals penetrate
the skin. Skin damage by cuts or
abrasions is especially susceptible
to irritants.
Dermatitis is the medical term used
to describe a skin inflammation.
Contact with some materials, such
as acids and bases, can cause
irritative contact dermatitis, while
other chemicals, such as
photographic developers, may
cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Early symptoms of irritative
contact dermatitis may include dry,
red, cracked or scaly skin at the site
of contact. Symptoms may worsen
with continued chemical exposure.
In most cases of allergic contact
dermatitis, the symptoms are itchy
blisters similar to those seen from
exposure to poison ivy or poison
oak. Although the rash is usually
confined to the site of contact, most
often fingers, hands, and forearms, it
may spread to other areas.
Sometimes people can work with
a chemical for years without any
noticeable effect, only to develop
contact dermatitis at a later date. The
time between contact and when a
response develops varies widely
among individuals. People with a
history of skin allergies, eczema, or
other skin disorders may be more
susceptible to the effects of contact
with chemicals.
If you think you have developed
contact dermatitis, contact your
manager. A medical examination
may be required to determine the
cause of the problem. Do not
attempt to self-medicate with lotions
or creams; they may make the
problem worse.
To prevent contact dermatitis
when handling photographic
processing chemicals, follow these
guidelines:
• Read the labels on chemical
containers so you know what
precautions to take when
handling the contents.
CONTACT DERMATITIS
• Change and launder clothing
worn while handling chemicals.
If photographic processing
chemicals are splashed or spilled
on your clothes, immediately
rinse the clothes to remove the
chemical residue. Wash
contaminated clothing before
wearing it again.
• Clean-up chemical spills or
splashes immediately. Always
wear personal protective
equipment when cleaning up
spilled photographic processing
chemicals.
• Immediately report any unusual
skin condition that you think
might be related to photographic
processing chemicals to your
manager and to your physician.
Conditions such as contact
dermatitis can be caused by
materials other than photographic
processing chemicals; dermatitis
usually will not improve until the
cause is found and the condition is
properly treated.
Some chemicals are able to enter the
body by absorption through the
skin. A variety of factors determine
the effects of these chemicals
including the toxicity of the
chemical, its concentration and the
duration of skin contact. Chemicals
can have a toxic effect even without
skin irritation. If tests indicate that a
photographic processing chemical
may be absorbed through the skin in
amounts that could cause an
adverse effect, the product label will
include a precautionary statement,
such as “HARMFUL IF ABSORBED
THROUGH THE SKIN.” Always
wear personal protective equipment
when handling these chemicals.
ABSORPTION OF
CHEMICALS
THROUGH THE SKIN