SDS – Safety Data Sheets for alternative photographic processes

Try avoiding hazardous chemicals, but if/when you use them, take extreme care, work in well-ventilated areas, wear appropriate protective gear and clothing, do not eat or drink near your workspace and keep away from children and pets. We have listed chemicals’ Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – previously called MSDS – for chemicals relating to alternative photographic processes.

This is in no way a complete list. Make sure you look up chemicals before using them and do your own research, the information here may be out of date as there is a lot of entries to try to keep up to date. Treat it as a starting point. Read the SDS, and have a number handy for emergencies. We have listed chemicals and the identified hazards. Note that the sheets get updated from time to time, so make sure to always search and look up the latest before using chemicals.
When we say “used for” in the table below, it is not a recommendation to use it, but some processes make use of it in this way. Quite often, there is a less poisonous or more sustainable alternative; look for it and use it. Take care!

Name of chemical	Could be used for – but find a less toxic alternative when possible	Identified hazards – examples only, not a complete list and does not replace reading the SDS. For all hazards, consult the SDS	SDS – Safety Data Sheet – (previously called MSDS)
Acetone	Rawlins oil print process	Highly flammable liquid and vapour Causes serious eye irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness	Roth CAS No. 67-64-1
Acetic acid	Albumen printing Bromoil printing Wet Plate Collodion	Flammable liquid and vapour Causes severe skin burns and eye damage	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 64-19-7
Agarose	Cyanotypes on Glass	No hazardous classification identified in the supplied SDS	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 9012-36-6
Aminosilane	Cyanotypes on Glass	Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Harmful if swallowed May cause an allergic skin reaction May cause respiratory irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 919-30-2
Ammonia	Silver plating Cyanotypes on Glass (pH adjustment) Kallitypes	May be corrosive to metals Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Roth CAS No. 1336-21-6 Thermo Fisher Scientific – Ammonia, 25% w/w aqueous solution
Ammonium chloride	Albumen printing	Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 12125-02-9
Ammonium iron(III) citrate / Ferric ammonium citrate	Cyanotypes Citrate Copperplate Photogravure Rawlins oil prints Cyanotypes on Glass Argyrotype process Kallitypes New Cyanotype	No hazardous classification identified in the supplied SDS	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 1185-57-5
Ammonium iron(III) oxalate trihydrate	Chrysotypes	Harmful if swallowed Harmful in contact with skin	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 13268-42-3
Borax / di-Sodium tetraborate	Found in some Anthotypes recipes, but should not be used	Causes serious eye irritation May damage fertility May damage the unborn child	Roth CAS No. 1330-43-4
Citric acid	Cyanotypes on Glass (pH adjustment / sensitizer preparation) Chrysotypes New Cyanotype	Causes serious eye irritation Causes skin irritation May cause respiratory irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 77-92-9
Copper(II) chloride = CuCl2	Silver mirroring toning Mordançages	Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye damage Harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7447-39-4
Copper(II) ferrocyanide	Cuprotype	Reliable reference not yet added	Reliable reference not yet added
Copper sulphate	Bromoil printing Preserving Chlorophyll prints	Harmful if swallowed Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7758-98-7
DEA, Diethanolamine	Blythtypes	Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye damage Causes skin irritation May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 111-42-2
Dektol developer	Develops analogue photographs and mordancage Bromoil printing	Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye damage May cause an allergic skin reaction Suspected of causing genetic defects Suspected of causing cancer Very toxic to aquatic life Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects	SDS – Safety Data Sheet UK
Dichromate / Dichromated colloid	Carbon prints	Reliable reference not yet added	Reliable reference not yet added
Disodium EDTA (1,2-Diaminoethanetetraacetic acid, disodium salt)	Chrysotypes	No hazardous classification identified in the supplied SDS	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 6381-92-6
Disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate	Cyanotypes on Glass	Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7782-85-6
EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, free acid powder)	Blythtypes	Causes serious eye irritation Harmful if inhaled May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 60-00-4
Ethanol	Mixing anthotype emulsions Also: Alcoholic beverages such as gin or vodka	Flammable liquid Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Roth 1612-2022
Ethyl ether	Wet Plate Collodion	Extremely flammable liquid and vapour Harmful if swallowed Causes skin and eye irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness Aspiration hazard if swallowed May cause respiratory irritation Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 60-29-7
Ferric (III) chloride hexahydrate	Cyanotypes on Glass (Alternative sensitizer formulation)	Harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Harmful to aquatic life	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 10025-77-1
Ferric (III) sulphate	Iron printing	Reliable reference not yet added	Reliable reference not yet added CAS No. 10028-22-5
Ferric ammonium citrate / Ammonium iron(III) citrate	Cyanotypes Citrate Copperplate Photogravure Rawlins oil prints Cyanotypes on Glass Argyrotype process Kallitypes New Cyanotype	No hazardous classification identified in the supplied SDS	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 1185-57-5
Ferric oxalate	Platinum/Palladium Carbon prints	No hazardous classification identified	SDS – LookChem CAS No. 2944-66-3
Formaldehyde / Formalin	Enlarged negative for contact printing Preserving Chlorophyll prints Carbon prints	Flammable solid/solution depending on formulation Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed Causes irritation to eyes, respiratory system and skin Possible cancer hazard May cause pulmonary oedema	Thermo Fisher Scientific – Formaldehyde solution 37% CAS No. 50-00-0
Fumed silica	Chrysotypes	No GHS hazard classification identified	American Elements SDS information CAS No. 112945-52-5
Glacial acetic acid	Mordançages Gum printing Albumen printing	Flammable liquid and vapour Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May be harmful if swallowed Toxic if inhaled Harmful in contact with skin	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 64-19-7
Glutaraldehyde, 25%	Cyanotypes on Glass (Preservation / hardening)	Toxic by inhalation Harmful if swallowed Causes burns by all exposure routes May cause allergic respiratory and skin reaction	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 111-30-8
Gold chloride	Chrysotypes	Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific / Acros CAS No. 13453-07-1
Glycerin	Carbon prints	No hazardous classification identified in the located SDS	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 56-81-5
Grumbacher Thio Violet	Carbon prints	No hazards identified in the SDS for Grumbacher Pre-Tested Oil Colors	Grumbacher Pre-Tested Oil Colors SDS Thio Violet / P211
Hydrazine Sulphate	Silver plating	Acute toxicity Carcinogenicity Hazardous to the aquatic environment	Chemos.de CAS No. 10034-93-2
Hydrochloric acid	Iron printing Platinum/Palladium	May be corrosive to metals Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7647-01-0
Hydrogen peroxide	Mordançages Rawlins oil print process Cyanotypes on Glass	Harmful if swallowed or inhaled Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye damage May cause respiratory irritation	Roth Medline CAS No. 7722-84-1
Hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) trihydrate	Chrysotypes	May be corrosive to metals Harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 16961-25-4
Hydroxylammonium chloride	Silver plating	Acute toxicity Skin corrosion/irritation Serious eye damage/eye irritation Carcinogenicity Specific target organ toxicity Hazardous to the aquatic environment	Chemos.de CAS No. 5470-11-1
Hydroxylamine hydrochloride	Silver plating	May form combustible dust concentrations in air Toxic if swallowed Harmful in contact with skin Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation Suspected of causing cancer	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 5470-11-1
Hydroxylamine sulfate	Silver plating	Acute oral toxicity Skin corrosion/irritation Serious eye damage/eye irritation Carcinogenicity Specific target organ toxicity	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 10039-54-0
Iodine	Daguerreotype	Harmful if swallowed Harmful in contact with skin Harmful if inhaled Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory and central nervous system effects May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7553-56-2
Isopropyl alcohol / Isopropanol / 2-Propanol	Anthotypes Carbon prints Degreasing glas plates	Flammable liquid and vapour Causes serious eye irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness	Roth CAS No. 67-63-0
Kodak fixer (Kodafix)	Fixing analogue photographs and mordancage	Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May damage fertility or the unborn child	SDS – Safety Data Sheet UK
Methylisothiazolinone	Cyanotypes on Glass	Harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause an allergic skin reaction Toxic if inhaled	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 2682-20-4
Nitric acid	Wet Plate Collodion	Reliable reference not yet added	Reliable reference not yet added CAS No. 7697-37-2
Oxalic acid	Iron printing Chrysotypes	May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 144-62-7
p-Phenylenediamine	Cyanotypes on Glass	Toxic if swallowed Toxic in contact with skin Toxic if inhaled May cause an allergic skin reaction	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 106-50-3
Palladium chloride	Platinum/Palladium	May be corrosive to metals Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye damage May cause an allergic skin reaction	Fisher Scientific / Acros Organics CAS No. 7647-10-1
Permawash / Perma Wash Concentrate	Washing analogue photographs after fixing	Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation	Omega brandness
Polysorbate 20 / Tween 20	Argyrotype process Carbon prints	Reliable reference not yet added	Reliable reference not yet added CAS No. 9005-64-5
Potassium bromide	Bromoil printing	No hazardous classification identified	Thermo Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 7758-02-3
Potassium chlorate	Platinum/Palladium	Oxidizing solid; may intensify fire Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Thermo Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 3811-04-9
Potassium chloroplatinite	Platinum/Palladium	Toxic if swallowed Causes skin irritation May cause an allergic skin reaction Causes serious eye damage May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled	Thermo Fisher Scientific / Avocado Research Chemicals CAS No. 10025-99-7
Potassium dichromate	Kallitypes Bromoil Gum oil/oil printing Rawlins oil Enlarged negative Platinum/Palladium	May cause cancer May cause genetic defects May damage fertility or the unborn child Very toxic if swallowed Toxic if inhaled Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause an allergic skin reaction Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Thermo Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 7778-50-9
Potassium ferricyanide	Cyanotype Cyanotypes on Glass New Cyanotype	Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 13746-66-2
Potassium hydroxide = KOH	Silver mirroring toning	May be corrosive to metals Causes severe skin burns and eye damage	Roth CAS No. 1310-58-3
Potassium nitrate (nitrate of potassa)	Wet Plate Collodion	Oxidizing solid; may intensify fire	Thermo Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 7757-79-1
Potassium oxalate	Kallitypes	Reliable reference not yet added	Reliable reference not yet added CAS No. 590-29-4
Potassium permanganate	Gum printing	Oxidizing solid Harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation May damage fertility or the unborn child May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure	Thermo Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 7722-64-7
Potassium thiocyanate = KSCN	Silver mirroring toning	Harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Roth CAS No. 333-20-0
Resorcinol	Cyanotypes on Glass	Harmful if swallowed Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation Very toxic to aquatic life	Thermo Fisher Scientific / Avocado Research Chemicals Ltd CAS No. 108-46-3
Silver(I) oxide	Argyrotype	May cause fire or explosion Strong oxidizer Causes serious eye damage Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 20667-12-3
Silver iodide	Daguerreotype	No GHS hazard classification required Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 7783-96-2
Silver nitrate	Kallitypes	May intensify fire; oxidizer May be corrosive to metals Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May damage fertility or the unborn child May cause respiratory irritation Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7761-88-8
Sodium bisulphate (sodium hydrogen sulphate)	Blythtypes	Causes serious eye damage	Fisher Scientific / Acros SDS CAS No. 7681-38-1
Sodium bisulfite	Carbon prints	May cause irritation by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact Sulfite compounds may cause a severe allergic reaction in sensitive individuals May cause respiratory reactions in some asthmatic individuals	Fisher Science Education SDS CAS No. 7631-90-5
Sodium chloride (table salt)	Gum printing	No hazardous classification identified	Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 7647-14-5
Sodium citrate	Albumen printing	No hazardous classification identified	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 68-04-2
Sodium carbonate	Chrysotypes Toning Cyanotype	Causes serious eye irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 497-19-8
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate	Cyanotypes on Glass	Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 10049-21-5
Sodium hydrogen carbonate	Chrysotypes	No physical or health hazards classified under GHS	Fisher Science Education SDS CAS No. 144-55-8
Sodium hydroxide = NaOH	Silver mirroring toning	May be corrosive to metals Causes severe skin burns and eye damage	Roth CAS No. 1310-73-2
Sodium metabisulfite	Gum printing Carbon prints Chrysotypes	Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye damage Contact with acids liberates toxic gas	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7681-57-4
Sodium sulphite	Gum printing Daguerreotype Chrysotypes Blythtypes	No hazardous classification identified	Fisher Scientific / Acros SDS CAS No. 7757-83-7
Sodium tetrachloroaurate(III) dihydrate	Chrysotypes	May be corrosive to metals Harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 13874-02-7
Sodium thiosulfate	Daguerreotype	No hazardous classification identified	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 7772-98-7
Sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate	Kallitypes	May cause skin irritation May cause eye irritation May cause respiratory tract irritation	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 10102-17-7
Sulfamic acid / Sulphamic acid (NH2SO3H)	Argyrotype process De-buffering papers	Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Roth CAS No. 5329-14-6
Sulphuric acid	Enlarged negative for contact printing Bromoil printing	Corrosive to metals Toxic if inhaled Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Concentrated 95–98% SDS CAS No. 7664-93-9
Tartaric acid	Kallitypes Chrysotypes	Causes serious eye damage	Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 87-69-4
Tetrasodium EDTA (1,2-Diaminoethanetetraacetic acid, tetrasodium salt) / Tetra-EDTA	Chrysotypes	Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye damage	Exact-substance SDS CAS No. 64-02-8
Thiodipropionic acid	Chrysotypes	Causes serious eye irritation	Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 111-17-1
Thionin dye	Blythtypes	Harmful if swallowed Harmful in contact with skin Harmful if inhaled May cause irritation May cause damage through prolonged or repeated exposure	Safety Data Sheet CAS No. 581-64-6
Thymol	Carbon prints	Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Harmful if swallowed Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Fisher Scientific SDS CAS No. 89-83-8
Triton X-100	Cyanotypes on Glass (Surfactant)	Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye damage	Thermo Fisher Scientific CAS No. 9002-93-1

Again, make sure you look up any chemicals before use. Stay safe!

SDS – Safety Data Sheets for alternative photographic processes

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