Digital BW, The Print

john dean wrote:

>Edward used the extremely toxic 
>developer Pyro for his negatives and the equally nasty  Amidol for his prints. 
>His hands turned black from using this stuff and it eventually killed him, 
>destroyed his nervous system, long before he should have left this earth. 
>  
>
Hi John,

I was unaware that there is a proven link between pyrogallic acid, 
amidol and parkenson's disease. Perhaps John could cite some references?

I agree, though, with the sentiment that traditional darkroom workers 
(and everyone else for that matter) should avoid toxic substances unless 
absolutely necessary.  Luckily there are lots of environmentally benign 
darkroom formulas. (I use a vitamin c/phenidone developer, ascorbic acid 
stop bath....) 

-Peter De Smidt
www.desmidt.net