Office Laser Printers can be Unhealthy for You
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http://live.pirillo.com/ - Wirelesspacket shared with us some research he has come across, regarding Laser printers possibly causing health problems.
Four of my friends joined me for this discussion: Kat, SC_Thor, Wirelesspacket, and last but certainly not least… Datalore.
According to several studies, Laser printers can cause health problems. Certain laser printers used in offices and homes release tiny particles of toner-like material into the air that people can inhale deep into lungs where they may pose a health hazard.
Most of the printer-generated particles detected were ultrafine, and such contaminants are easily inhaled into the smallest passageways of the lungs where they could pose ‘a significant health threat.’ Previous studies have focused on emissions of volatile organic compounds, ozone, and toner particles from office printers and copiers. However, the research left broad gaps in scientific understanding of particle emissions and airborne concentrations of particles.
To keep yourself safe, make sure your printer is not right next to you on your desk, and always work in a room with plenty of ventilation.
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4 Comments
Joe
October 3rd, 2007
at 8:19pm
Toner is no more harmful than any other small particulate matter. If you had a machine spewing talcum powder in to the air at the same rate as your laser printer spews toner it would be equally unhealthy. The bigger risk is actually the ozone that photoelectric print systems put off. Gives people headaches and makes them feel generally crappy.
R. Bassett Jr.
October 3rd, 2007
at 9:26pm
FUD
Please read the HP press release on this issue at,
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/emissions.html
In the 1980s HP teamed up with Canon to work out the kinks that both companies were having with lasrerjet technology, even though that sort of meant HP was admitting defeat. That’s the kind of company HP has always been, down to Earth and aware of their responsibilities to their customers. I can’t say that I have heard anything negative about Canon or Xerox either and those are the three big players in laserjet technology.
HP takes health and safety very seriously and they have found that laserjet printers are safe to operate. I believe we should trust the experts on this issue, especially the experts that learned under the tutelage of Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard… they just wouldn’t put people in danger and then lie about it.
Brent
October 4th, 2007
at 6:18pm
The answer I heard was that particles small enough to be carried in the air like this are also small and light enough to be exhaled without getting stuck in the lungs.
rev. C. Dougherty
October 11th, 2007
at 3:35pm
I believe that most home ofice printers emit plenty of ozone. Air circulation is key, h/e summertime prohibits opening a window for good air, as it is bad air during August and September. I use a fan to circulate air and it doesn’t help during those months.