Using selenium toner (was Re: Infrared-Digest V #114)

[Bertha Adamson <badamson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Amber wrote:
> 
> > Hi out there in infrared land:
> >
> > I am interested in trying selenium toning of my prints and have Kodak Rapid
> > Selenium Toner available.   I read somewhere that this toner is extremely toxic
> > and must be handled with extreme care.   Has anyone out there used this toner
> > and can I get some feedback regarding safety precautions I should take.  I
> > usually wear rubber gloves in the darkroom and try to use tongs to move my
> > prints from one tray to the next.  As usual any help will be greatly
> > appreciated!!
> >
> ferricyanide based toners do)  And enjoy, remember that you will
> get better color from selenium with papers that respond well to it,
> cold tone papers aren't known for their ability to show much color
> from seleniun.  Ilford multigrade will show only a contrast change,
> with almost no color difference.

This is a little off your original question, but Amber gave you a very nice
summary about using selenium and I wanted to add something.  Apart from the
color change, selenium toner is one of the solutions recommended for
increasing the archival stability of your print.  So if this is a concern, it
is good to put the print in the toner even if there is no color change.  If it
is a paper that will change color but you do not want that, use a very dilute
solution (1+20, 1+50) for a few minutes (I believe 3-5 is recommended).  Also,
the stability of RC prints issue has arisen again and selenium may be very
helpful to RC prints to be displayed.

As for toxicity, you have gotten good advice.  Basically, protect your skin,
provide plenty of fresh air, and don't use it to quench your thirst.  

Bertha

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