Customer Reviews

Overexposure: Health Hazards in Photography

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Anyone who sets foot in a darkroom should read this book. A little scary at times, but information you need to be aware of. Especially important for creative workers who often forget about the side effects of the materials they work with.

It has been a long time since I read this book. In my opinion, it is the worst book I have ever read on this subject of toxicology in photography. I have serious doubts if Ms. Shaw is a toxicologist, and it seems to be something written by someone who has an hysterical fear of any chemicals.

I am not recommending that people drink photographic solutions or inhale the crushed crystals that are the components of many of these solutions, but a little common sense (that may be rare in our society these days) would keep most photographers out of trouble.

Dr. Richard J. Henry's book, "Controls in Black and White Photography -- Second Edition" contains a chapter on laboratory safety for photographers. He was an MD and a practicing research chemist by profession. This book is sadly out of print, but you may be able to get a copy. It is very good.

http://www.amazon.com/Controls-Black-White-Photography-Richard/dp/0240517881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242386103&sr=1-1

Another book, "The Dose makes the Poison", written by a professional toxicologist, M. Alice Ottoboni, is a much better book on this subject.

http://www.amazon.com/Dose-Makes-Poison-Plain-Language-Toxicology/dp/0471288373/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242385830&sr=1-2