Method of treating seasoned developer solution

Abstract

Seasoned lithographic printing plate developer solutions are treated with a hypochlorite to decompose infrared radiation-sensitive cyanine dyes that are released from lithographic elements during alkaline development. The hypochlorite is useful to decompose both suspended and soluble forms of the cyanine dyes so they can be more safely discharged to the environment in the seasoned developer solution. This treatment avoids expensive filtration equipment and incineration for handling seasoned developer solutions before they are discharged to the environment.

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