Safety: Respirators and MSDS

To use mordants like Iron, Copper, Tin, and Chrome, you need a respirator. You cannot go without one. It needs to snugly and securely fit your face (going to a place like Granger to purchase one, where they'll help fit it to you is a good idea). Then, you need both a set of P100 Particulate filters and a P95 Organic Vapor/acidic gas filters. Because you need the P100 filter for measuring out the mordants and then the P95 because Tin and Copper and Chrome give off noxious fumes that will cause irritation to your throat and nasal cavities, will give you headaches, and can eventually cause upper respiratory damage.

Also, if you're going to use these mordants, you MUST have MSDS sheets for them on hand, so you are forewarned about their hazards, and so if something goes wrong you know what to do about it. They are mostly inhalants, in either particulate or noxious gas form, not really flammable or combustible. But nasty buggers none the less. To find MSDS sheets for these chemicals, google their chemical names. Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate/Blue Vitriol, Stannous Chloride, ect.