Contents of photographic chemistry:
Does photographic chemistry contains cyanide?
Cyanide is a very poisonous substance. It is widely used on precious metal electroplating
industries. It can be used on photography for special effect. Photographic chemistry
normally does not contain cyanide. Some chemistry may contain thiocyanate. Thiocyanate is
non toxic.
Does photographic chemistry contains PCB, mercury, formaldehyde?
Photographic chemistry does not contain PCB or mercury. Old formula may contains
formaldehyde, which may cause cancer. New formula has already eliminated it.
What is the main content of photographic chemistry?
Photographic chemistry mainly contains carbonate, hydroxide, thiosulphate, EDTA,
PDTA,
bromide, chloride, amines, acetic acid, etc. These contents can be easily purchased in a
super market.
Regeneration:
Can I regenerate my own chemistry?
Yes. Regeneration is a very easy process. It can be done with very little tools. Hi-Tech
can assist you.
If regeneration is very cheap and easy to do, why is it not too many people are doing
them?
It can affect the quality if you do not have the volume of business. Regenerated chemistry
is inconsistent in quality. It can cause stain on paper. It is time consuming and
laborious to handle them.
Some company collect my used photo chemistry, and supplied me premixed chemistry, are
they regenerated chemistry?
Some premix chemistries are used chemistry.
Recycle:
Is it worth to recycle used chemistry?
95% of a mixed chemistry is water. 95% of the contents are carbonate, and
thiosulphate.
These compound worth only $2.00 per kilogram. The labour and energy involved to recover
them is close to the value it can recover.
Is photo chemistry is very toxic?
No. Photo chemistry is a low hazardous product. It can cause allergy to certain people. It
is also corrosive in certain degree. You should not be too afraid of them.
Is photo chemistry using material that can be used to make noodles, soft drinks,
vinegar, and fertilizer, face cream, etc.?
Yes. 95% contents of photo chemistry are non toxic. They could be found in super market.
What are the main ingredients of photo chemistry?
Potassium Carbonate and ammonium salt.
What is potassium carbonate?
Potassium carbonate is an extract from wood ash. It is used to make noodles smoother to
eat.
What are ammonium salt?
Ammonium salt is family name of chemicals containing ammonia. Ammonia contains nitrogen
and hydrogen. It is the element of life.
If you are right, why is it my supplier told me my chemistry is very toxic?
Some manufacturers take advantage of the environment issue to scare people, such that you
would stay with them.
If photo chemistry is corrosive, should I handle them with care?
Certainly, certain chemical, such as vinegar, although it is edible at 5% level, could
still considered as corrosive material.
Spipping:
Do I need a licensed truck to ship chemistry as some manufacturer advertised?
No. You just have to put a hazardous material logo on a visible area if you are shipping
exceeding 1000 Kg.
Does photo chemistry contains silver?
No, new photo chemistry does not contain silver. The silver in the used chemistry is
coming from film or paper.
Is silver is very toxic?
No. Do not confuse silver with lead or mercury as some chemistry manufacturer misleading
you. Royal family and rich people use silver ware daily.
What is more harmful in photo chemistry?
Iron.
If silver is not harmful, why is it every body talking about silver and ignore iron?
Silver has financial value.
Iron is essential element to human body and many plants, then, why is it harmful to the
environment?
Too much Iron in the sewage system can kill the bacteria. We need bacteria in the sewage
system to crack down the waste.
Disposal:
Can I dump my used photo chemistry into the sewage?
Yes. Provided you do not exceed the limit. Large photo lab should have their chemistry
regenerated, silver recovered, and concentration monitored before dumping. Small lab can
hardly reach the limit. You must also aware the limit is in the form of concentration. It
is not based on the volume.
Some photo chemistry supplier want me to register as a hazardous material generator,
saying my chemistry contains cyanide, should I follow them?
Modern photo chemistry does not contain cyanide. Those government forms they want you to
fill up are for the electroplating industry. Those suppliers are using a scaring tactics
taking advantage of environment issue to bind you.
Would it be very harmful to dump my used chemistry into the sewage?
Photo chemistry is using material recovered from the ash, air, sea, mine, etc. They are
highly biodegradable. Modern photochemistries are using ammonium salt. Ammonia is straight
through the sewage system.
