I may be wrong because I am not familiar with the details of HAZ-Mat
activities, but small amounts of photography chemicals  (amatuer darkroom
amounts, individual photographer size stock) can often be safely poured
down the drain, depending upon the chemical. If they are sealed in the
orginal foil lined packages or the like, they can remain stable for a
long time. Some darkroom chemicals are no more dangerous than staples in
your kitchen (i.e. stop bath=acetic acid=vinegar). Hypo is different in
that it cannot be taken internally.

Is there a commercial photographer in town? Does (s)he still do darkroom
work? Can you ask them? Know any active amatuer photographers? Nearby
college which teaches photography?

Much of what you have may still be commercially available to those who
are interested and if you do not want to store the materials, maybe they
can put them to good use. The two developers you named I personally am
not familiar with because I never got into platinum work and other art
photography methods. However, a college art dept or photography teacher
might be of help.

Mary Kirby
Historic Upshur Museum
[log in to unmask]

On Wed, 26 May 2004 12:35:10 -0700 Rachel Hawthorn
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
> Hello,
> While going through the 'vault' of the collection I'm working on, I
> found some old photography chemicals. The museum used to have a wet
> darkroom, but now everything is digital, and there is no practical
> use for the chemistry.
> The chemicals are old packages, packets and tubes of acid hypo,
> platino developer, metol quinol developer and so on.
> I don't know if there is an "ideal" storage method for these,
> because we actually have a large collection of photography, and
> photography was a pretty important tool in the development of the
> west.
> So, my question is...should these older chemicals be tossed, removed
> by a hazardous materials professional, or kept for artifact/interest
> purposes....we could feasably set up an exhibit of photographic
> materials/tools and relevant photographs to the area from our
> collection...so, opinions?
> Thanks!
> Rachel Hawthorn
> Collection Intern
> Historical Society of Idaho Springs
>
>
>
>
> If I want to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, I'll put shoes
> on my cat.
>
>
>
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