I was a photo major in college (10 yrs ago). I spent everyday in the darkroom using chemicals to develop my film and make prints.
Does anyone know if this could possibly contribute to my toxic load?
Is it something that warrants mentioning to my LLMD, or is it harmless?
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
I would imagine any chemicals add to toxic load. I don't know that you would still be carrying them 10 years later...but probably just detoxing regularly would clear them
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Absolutely. Not harmless.
I also took college photography classes and took it up as a hobby. I used to spend hours in the dark room, too. I became very ill around that time but there were many factors.
Then, there were no exhaust fans. I did not seem to be bothered by the smells (as I am now) then but recall they did smell funny.
Some very specific homeopathic formulas might be tailored to address "detox" from such chemicals.
Liver support, too, always. And WATER.
Google: Heavenly+Heat, Infrared+Sauna -
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Yeah, I would think so...
I studied fine art. I was around solvents from printing inks, oil paint (cadnium red, anyone?), acrylic paint, sculpture (cast metals - bronze, aluminum, stone dust, vaporized styrofoam...).
I worked in darkrooms & in silkscreening. Most of that stuff is toxic to some degree. It's probably moreso when you combine the chemicals.
Health & Safety in the Arts A Searchable Database of Health & Safety Information for Artists
Great- son in high school is in dark room this month for photography class. This is the last thing he needs after finally getting better.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Maybe try to get him to do digital photography instead...? Photography is fun. It's amazing watching your images appearing on the paper but it's just not good being around the chemicals. Maybe he could learn Photoshop & do digital photography instead...?
Walmart is actually very good for getting the digital files printed... I hate the idea of Walmat but they are good & don't cost alot of money. You just bring your disk there & there are machines that print the images out.
Posted by aperture (Member # 34822) on :
The chemicals did smell terrible, especially with no vents.
I was just trying to think of the major toxins that my body has dealt with over the years (pesticides from working in tobacco fields as a child, etc). I'm sure the photo lab didn't help things.
Don't tell me the acrylic paint was also toxic???? I used to love painting.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Some of the pigments can be very toxic. I'm sure the base isn't all that safe either... Just be careful.
I worked as a artist's studio assistant & was up to my elbows cleaning brushes. So, I understand...
I personally think it might add to the overall burden your body carries. I worked with darkrooms and in the prepress (photo process) industry for years, and eventually started breaking out in hives whenever I came near the stuff.