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A recent study found that some laser printers emit levels of ultrafine particles almost as high as those of cigarettes. Inhaling such particles can cause respiratory irritation, cardiovascular problems, and cancer, depending on the composition of the particles.
Polluting Indoor Air
The researchers who found the high emissions from laser printers were not originally looking at laser printers. Their study, published recently in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, was designed to measure the air quality inside and outside an office building near a busy road. The researchers found that the air quality was worse inside the building during the workday compared to outdoors, and they traced the high particle levels to the laser printers being operated.
The level of ultrafine particles rose by 500% during work hours when the laser printers were in use. The toner cartridges of laser printers were found to be the source of the particles. The printers also released more particles when the toner cartridge being used was new, and when the printers were making documents that needed a lot of toner, such as those with illustrations.
High Levels of Ultrafine Particles
The scientists thus refocused their investigation on laser printers, studying 62 different models in controlled conditions. They found that 17 of the printers released potentially dangerous levels of ultrafine particles into the air. Other models emitted medium, low, or negligible levels of particles.
The study's lead author is Dr. Lidia Morawska, a physicist with the Queensland University of Technology. She noted that "Particles have been shown beyond any doubt to be a health hazard…These particles are tiny like cigarette smoke particles, and when deep inside the lungs they do the same amount of damage." The particles emitted by the laser printers are so small that it can take 15 minutes for the particles to settle after being released into the air.
Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Ricoh, Toshiba
The laser printers tested were from a variety of manufacturers — Hewlett-Packard (HP), Canon, Ricoh, and Toshiba. All but one of the highest-emitting printers were from HP, but some of the non-emitting printers were also made by HP. A Toshiba laser printer was among the high-emitting group.
Health Regulations for Printers Suggested
Dr. Morawska and her colleagues called for more research into the health hazards of office and home printers. They called on government officials to consider regulations to limit the emissions from laser printers, and advised people who use laser printers to make sure that the printers are operated in a well-ventilated place.
Other studies have found that printers can release ozone and volatile organic compounds.
(Source: Los Angeles Times online)
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