C-41 chemical concerns

Asha

Asha

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Asha
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I took the plunge into home deving C-41 with the Tetenal Colortec kit, processing my first colour film two days ago (sunday evening)), some of the results can be seen on my "January Treasure Hunt" entry.

As with all deving, I wore suitable protective clothing, gloves, goggles, apron and ensured the bathroom window was open.

Sunday nights sleep was disrupted with a continual sensation of a "thick" "head associated with what one sometimes experiences with a cold/flu type virus.....along with throat glands feeling slightly swollen.

Monday saw me able to go about my daily routine albiet continuing to feel under the weather.

Monday night / this morning has seen me with such a sore throat when swallowing that eating/drinking was nigh on impossible to the point of fighting against having to swallow my own saliva.

Atm, the soreness when swallowing is still very much apparent although being able to drink a little has become more bearable.

Now the question is, am I suffering a nasty reaction to the C-41 chemicals or am I being paranoid having just picked up a cold virus??

Has anyone else had symptoms like this with dev chems?

I have read up on flickr etc and there are mixed views on the possible effects of the Blix and/or Stabilizer....Tbh I don't really know what to believe, it is nonetheless quite unnerving.
 
Personally i think you've picked something up. I have sometimes gotten a sore throat when i have been using the uni darkroom but that's probably more due to the dust and lack of fresh air. I do all of my own devving at home in my room and haven't had anything before.
 
robhooley167 said:
Personally i think you've picked something up. I have sometimes gotten a sore throat when i have been using the uni darkroom but that's probably more due to the dust and lack of fresh air. I do all of my own devving at home in my room and haven't had anything before.
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Well much as I don't want a bug, I'd sooner know it's that rather than a chem allergy.

If I start with cough, sneezes and/or sniffles then that will answer my concerns.

Somewhat of a coincidence to drop on a bug at the same time as trying out new chems.
 
Asha,
I would sayyou picked up a bug, I've done lots of C41 and E6 processing at home with no ill effects. Yet gain I might be very imune due to the amout of chems I have around.

However you might be suseptable to somthing in C41, the only way to find out is, get better and then process another batch and see if the symtoms come back. If they do then you are going to have to send film away.

Mart
 
I agree with Mel, reaction symptoms generally improve after the allergen is removed. So unless you're wife has seen some of the things you write about her and is taking revenge by sticking blix in your tea I'd say it's a bug :D
 
again, I've done lots of C41 and E6 at home, and while the chemicals are a little "pungent" (particularly the BLIX in the tetenal kit!) for the amount of time you are exposed to them, especially if you've taken the precaution of ensuring good ventilation, i'd be highly surprised if it's anything other than a cold coming on mate...

Yes, if you're working with the chemistry day-in day-out it could have an effect - but if it was that dangerous, I doubt if they'd allow Tetenal et.al. to sell to the general public...
 
MindofMel said:
It would be unusual for an allergic reaction to present as such, and with continued evolving symptoms after exposure from the allergen the best part of two days ago. The swollen lymph nodes etc seem more common virus than allergic reaction. If you are truly worried - go GP.
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Yes I would agree that if it were an allergic reaction then the symtom of severe sore throat would have, presumably, been apparent immediatley and gradually subsided as against increasing in severity 24 hours plus after exposure to the chems.....If it does continue then yes, I'll pass by my GP

Marvin d martian said:
Asha,
I would sayyou picked up a bug, I've done lots of C41 and E6 processing at home with no ill effects. Yet gain I might be very imune due to the amout of chems I have around.

However you might be suseptable to somthing in C41, the only way to find out is, get better and then process another batch and see if the symtoms come back. If they do then you are going to have to send film away.

Mart
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Mart we all know you're mad as a hatter sniffing all those chems!! lol

Like you say, if it happens again then the C-41 process will not be for me...hopefully that won't be the case as I was very pleased with my first attempt and am looking forward to doing more colour.

steveo_mcg said:
I agree with Mel, reaction symptoms generally improve after the allergen is removed. So unless you're wife has seen some of the things you write about her and is taking revenge by sticking blix in your tea I'd say it's a bug :D
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Mmmm I wouldn't put past her!! lol........and yes she's just read this!!!!!

TheBigYin said:
again, I've done lots of C41 and E6 at home, and while the chemicals are a little "pungent" (particularly the BLIX in the tetenal kit!) for the amount of time you are exposed to them, especially if you've taken the precaution of ensuring good ventilation, i'd be highly surprised if it's anything other than a cold coming on mate...

Yes, if you're working with the chemistry day-in day-out it could have an effect - but if it was that dangerous, I doubt if they'd allow Tetenal et.al. to sell to the general public...
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Well the window was open, although the draft tends to come inward as against pulling fumes outward.....I'll have to hold my breath next time! lol

There are some "standard" safety warnings with the kit like with most products as to toxicity, however as you say Mark, if it was so "dangerous", it is unlikely it would be available to joe public.
 
Just to update:

The chemicals had nothing to do with my ailments....indeed I've processed another batch of C41 with no issues so all is good news.

I purchased some "over the counter" relief for the sore throat which did nothing, so took myself to the Dr last friday.

He confirmed a virus and offered stronger symptom relief meds which did very little tbh so I reverted back to "grandmas" remedy of gargling salt water and honey based drinks.

The virus took a full TEN days to break, the horrendous sore throat being continuous through that period.....from what I understand it is a particularly nast bug which has left many people with other complications such as bronchitis.....nice to have it spreading around whilst the carnaval is on and the place is heaving with tourists eh?!!

I consider myself quite lucky as other than a bit of a sniffly nose and slight cough, my good health is now well on it's way to return.

Thanks for your help and suport guys.........
 
TheBigYin said:
glad to hear your on the mend mate :thumbs:
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Cheers Mark.....appreciated!

Best thing of all is I now know I can dev C41 with no ill effects....Colour me up!!! LOL :D
 
Sounds very much like a form of tonsillitis to me. Exactly the same symptoms that I get and I get tonsillitis on a fairly regular basis...bloody horrible.

Andy
 
Never had anything like that with C41, E6, or B&W chemistry. It's a co-incidence.
 
Andysnap said:
Sounds very much like a form of tonsillitis to me. Exactly the same symptoms that I get and I get tonsillitis on a fairly regular basis...bloody horrible.

Andy
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My mrs did actually beleive it could have been a bout of tonsillitis as she suufered dreadfully in her younger years.....from what i have learnt of her experiences, it does sound particularly horrible.....Are there no advances in treatment to rid you of it Andy??

Pookeyhead said:
Never had anything like that with C41, E6, or B&W chemistry. It's a co-incidence.
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Very much co incidence...did cause me quite a concern though as i am susceptable to allergic reactions.
 
At least you are clear now and can dev C41, E6 should not give you any trouble either.
Worst I have ever had is a bit dizzy after spilling some ether when making up my collodion.
Mart
 
The only treatment is antibiotics or whip 'em out and they are loathe to do that nowadays as the infection can then go into the bloodstream which is apparently even worse. I'm getting used to it now and generally just carry on as best I can, heroically and without complaint like the brave soldier I am.....:whistling:
 
Andysnap said:
I'm getting used to it now and generally just carry on as best I can, heroically and without complaint like the brave soldier I am.....:whistling:
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We need proof from your other half as to how much of a whiner (oops soldier :D) you are when poorly ....women reckon all us men are babies...I'm saying no more :whistling::D

Seems that the treatment remains the same as when we were nippers then .....although like you say they were more likely to whip the old tonsils out back then.....My Mrs can empathise with you after suffering many years as a youngster ....she was fortuanate to "grow out of it".
 
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