ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
ILFORD - ILFOSPEED 2000TL Paper Fixer
CONTAINS
Ammonium Thiosulphate 30 to 60%
Boric Acid 1 to 5%
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Keep away from eyes and skin.
Avoid inhalation and ingestion.
Keep away from heat or naked flames.
CHARACTERISTICS
Colourless and odourless liquid
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
All fixing solutions are hazardous to health. They are strong
skin and eye irritants. Ingestion can cause nausea and vomiting.
TREATMENTS
Skin - Immediately wash the affected area with soap or mild
detergent and large amounts of water until all evidence of the
chemical has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). If
irritation persists or dermatitis develops seek medical advice.
Remove contaminated clothing and shoes and decontaminate before
re-use.
Eyes - Immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persists seek
immediate medical attention.
Inhalation - Remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. Keep
warm and allow to rest. Seek medical advice.
Ingestion - Never give anything by mouth if the victim is losing
consciousness, is unconscious or convulsing. Rinse the mouth
thoroughly with water. Give milk to drink. DO NOT induce
vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Incompatible with strong alkalis and strong acids. Decomposes
into ammonia and sulphur dioxide. No polymerisation hazard.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat and incompatible
substances.
HANDLING
Wear protective clothing. A long sleeved laboratory coat or gown
with elasticised wrist bands, rubber gloves and safety goggles
as a minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
The best way to dispose of photographic waste is to collect it
into large waste containers for collection by Waste Disposal
Contractors. Sewerage Authorities DO NOT allow the
discharge of this substance to sewer because of the high silver
concentration in the effluent discharge.
At working strength the effluent discharge of the components
considered hazardous to the sewerage system in Ilfospeed 2000TL
fixer is:
Ammonia/ammoniacal ion (as N) 22,500 mg/L
Sulphite (as S) 2,000 mg/L
Thiosulphate (as S) 49,000 mg/L
Boron (as B) 1,500 mg/L
Silver 3,000 to 8,000 mg/L
BOD5 51 gm/L
COD 48 gm/L
pH 5.1
pH with hardener 4.2
Aluminium (with hardener) 314 mg/L
ENVIRONMENT
This substance is very hazardous in the environment. Silver is
highly toxic to micro-organisms and marine life. Its disposal is
strictly regulated in Australia. Permissible limits of disposal
for silver are in the range 0.1 to 3 mg/L. Therefore, under no
conditions is it permissible to dispose of even small quantities
of used fixer into the public sewerage system.
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