CURRENT INFORMATION SUMMARY November 1998 •• CIS-167

July 1999 CIS-164

Removal of Silver Sulfide from Fixer,

Bleach-Fix, Wash, or
Stabilizer Racks/Rollers in
Photographic Processors
When a fixer or bleach-fix replenisher oxidizes, the SUPPLIES NEEDED
hypo (thiosulfate) breaks down, releasing sulfide and
• Two squeeze bottles
forming elemental sulfur. This is commonly known as
sulfurization—a reaction that produces an off-white • Rubber gloves
powdery precipitate with a rotten egg odor. When oxidation • Eye protection
occurs in a seasoned tank solution, the sulfide quickly bonds • Protective clothing
with dissolved silver to form an insoluble silver sulfide. This
• Soft nylon scrubbing pad
dark-colored precipitate usually builds up on racks and
rollers, and is deposited on the surface of the film or paper • Liquid sodium hypochlorite laundry bleach
being processed. Depending on the severity, a golden-tan, (e.g., CLOROX or SUNNYSOL)
brown, or black deposit is left on the surface of prints; in film • KODAK Rapid Fixer, Solution A, or KODAK
processors, small black specks deposit on the film surface. FLEXICOLOR Fixer and Replenisher for Process C-41
The breakdown of fixer or bleach-fix carry-over may also
cause silver sulfide to form in wash, low-flow wash, or CLEANING RACKS AND ROLLERS
stabilizer tanks (in non-plumbed minilabs). Low wash water
flow rates can exacerbate this situation. Silver sulfide is
extremely insoluble and hard to remove. This publication Caution
describes a procedure that uses common liquid sodium Perform this procedure in a WELL-VENTILATED area
hypochlorite laundry bleach (e.g., CLOROX or with minimum (or no) potential exposure to
SUNNYSOL) to oxidize the silver sulfide into a soluble photo-processing chemicals. RINSE the racks and rollers
silver complex that can be removed with photographic fixer. thoroughly with water to remove residual chemicals, and
flush the drain completely before proceeding to the next step.
DANGER! Failure to adequately flush residual chemicals may result in
DO NOT ALLOW SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE BLEACH the release of toxic fumes and gases. Be sure to wear
TO COME IN CONTACT WITH PHOTOPROCESSING personal protective clothing and equipment.
SOLUTIONS. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE FORMATION 1. Fill one squeeze bottle with a mixture of 1 part
AND RELEASE OF TOXIC POISONOUS GASES hypochlorite laundry bleach (e.g., CLOROX or
INCLUDING CHLORAMINES, AND CYANIDE GAS SUNNYSOL) to 4 parts water.
(with the use of fixers that contain thiocyanate). 2. Fill the second squeeze bottle with a mixture of 1 part
CAREFULLY FOLLOW PRECAUTIONARY KODAK Rapid Fixer, Solution A, to 7 parts water, or
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THOROUGHLY RINSE working-strength KODAK FLEXICOLOR Fixer and
AND FLUSH AFTER EACH STEP UNTIL ALL Replenisher diluted 1:1 with water.
CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN FLUSHED WELL INTO
3. Remove the rack from the machine, and rinse it
YOUR SEWER SYSTEM, OR DISPOSED OF thoroughly with water to remove all traces of solution.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL SEWER Use enough water to completely wash residual
REGULATIONS. chemicals down the drain.
4. Use the squeeze bottle filled with bleach solution to
direct a stream of bleach onto the parts of the racks that
require cleaning. Turn the rollers on the rack to ensure a
thorough application of bleach solution. Allow the
bleach solution to remain on the rack for 2 to 5 minutes.

©Eastman Kodak Company, 1999

Removal of Silver Sulfide from Fixer, Bleach-Fix, Wash, or Stabilizer Racks/
Rollers in Photographic Processors

5. Rinse the rack thoroughly with water to remove the DANGER!

bleach solution, and allow it to drain completely. Use The addition of cleaning agents that contain strong acids or
enough water to completely wash residual bleach oxidizing agents (e.g., chlorine-containing bleaches) to
solution down the drain. thiocyanate-containing photoprocessing solutions (i.e., some
6. Use the squeeze bottle filled with fixer solution to direct fixers and bleach-fix solutions), may release poisonous and
a stream of fixer solution onto the parts of the racks that flammable hydrogen cyanide gas, as well as other irritating
you treated with the bleach solution. and toxic gases, such as cyanogen chloride and sulfur
7. Scrub the rollers with a soft nylon pad. dioxide. Do not add cleaning agents to processing tanks
unless the tanks and racks have been completely drained
8. Rinse the rack thoroughly with water to remove the fixer and thoroughly rinsed with water. Read the Material
solution, and allow it to drain completely. Safety Data Sheet for information on the potential hazards of
Note: If all the deposit is not removed, flush the residual the working tank solution.
fixer solution down the drain with water, and repeat
steps 1 through 8, as necessary. (Severe buildup may
require two or three treatments.)
9. Replace the rack in the machine and refill the tank.
To prevent silver sulfide from reoccurring in the working
tank, dispose of any remaining bleach-fix or fixer
replenisher that contains sulfur precipitates due to oxidation
so that silver sulfide in the working tanks will not reoccur. If
you do not see evidence of sulfurization in the bleach-fix or
fixer replenisher tanks, continue using the solution.

Consumer Imaging
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY • ROCHESTER, NY 14650

Removal of Silver Sulfide from Fixer, Kodak and Flexicolor are trademarks. Minor Revision 7-99
Bleach-Fix, Wash, or Stabilizer Racks/ Printed in U.S.A.
Rollers in Photographic Processors
KODAK Publication No. CIS-167