Langford's Basic Photography, 10th Edition

Appendix E: Health and Safety Concerns

Preparation and use of chemicals. Most common chemicals used in photography are no more dangerous to handle than the compounds—cleaners, insect repellents, adhesives—used every day around the home. However, several of the more special-purpose photographic solutions, such as bleachers, toners, and intensifies, do contain acids or irritant chemicals which must be handled with care. (These are listed in Figure 10.28 and also picked out in the formulae given in Appendix D.)

Your response to direct contact with chemicals may vary from finger staining to direct irritation such as inflammation and itching of the hand or eyes, or a skin burning or general allergic reaction which may not appear until several days ...