Laser Printers May Pose Danger

Brought to my attention by Jim is a new claim that laser printers may be harmful to our health. Researchers in Australia found credible evidence of several dangers posed by these devices.

A newly released Australian study has found that some laser printers emit large amounts of tiny particles, which may increase the risk of cancer and heart disease. The report is being met with various reactions. Ted Smith of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition said the study’s findings are very disturbing. "The fact that the study shows that there are emissions coming from a wide variety of printers and the fact that there are millions and millions of people all around not only the U.S., but around the world that are exposed to these emissions on a daily basis concerns me greatly. I'm afraid that this may be another one of those examples of previously undetected health problems that are now just coming to fore," said Smith.

As if you didn't have enough to worry about - the new study claims exposure to your office laser printer could be as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. The bizarre claim comes from a credible source - researchers at Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Scientists tested more than 60 machines and discovered fully a third of them were emitting microscopic particles of a toner-like material that can be easily breathed in without your knowledge, and can potentially lead to a host of health problems.

Lead researcher Professor Lidia Morawska suggests the particles can have the same effect on lungs as smoking cigarettes, and prolonged exposure could lead to anything from minor irritations to heart problems or even cancer. The study found that newer cartridges created the worst readings, while graphics-heavy projects that require more toner also increased the levels. Not surprisingly, the problem is said to have gotten worse during working hours when there are more people using more printers in an office.

But the scientists aren't suggesting you pull the plug on the paper dispensers. Instead, they advocate placing the devices in well ventilated areas to ensure any random particles are better dispersed, reducing the danger you could be breathing in something you may not even be aware is there.

The researchers tested a large open-plan office in the Brisbane central business district, surrounded by busy roads and about 120 meters from a freeway.

"We really didn't expect to find anything from indoor sources [but] we soon discovered that the indoor sources of pollution were far higher than the outdoor sources," she said.

The study shows the average particle number concentration inside the test office is five times higher during working hours than non-working hours.

And at its highest levels, indoor particle concentration was about three times higher than the outdoor rate.

Morawska said that in offices with poor ventilation, higher concentrations of particles can "prevail for the whole day."

Although dry and liquid toners for photocopy machines and laser printers contain chemicals such as carbon black and resins that have the potential to harm at high concentration, they are normally contained and do not represent a significant hazard. Prolonged exposure to toner powder or vapors may cause eye and/or respiratory irritation and should be avoided. Having disposable gloves available may be a good precaution when handling the toner cartridges. Also, it is important to remember to turn off the power supply or unplug the machine when anyone is servicing the equipment.

Many photocopy machines and laser printers produce small quantities of ozone as a by-product of the copying process. This toxic gas, which has a pungent sweet odor, can irritate the eyes, nose, and/or throat. Check with the manufacturer to see if your photocopier or laser printer is equipped with an ozone filter.

The best protection when using copy machine or laser printer products involves good ventilation, avoiding skin and eye contact, and using the products according to the manufacturer's recommendations as written on the label or in the MSDS.

Conceivably, you could get black lung if you inhaled sufficient amounts of black toner over time but that's unlikely even in a test lab like plinth mentioned. There will be other additives, like resins and magnetic compounds (depends on the system, not all use magnetism) so your precautions are probably sufficient. Colored toners will have slightly different chemical compositions, so check the manufacturer's docs for their recommendations.

Perhaps the biggest danger with toner is a "tribo explosion" as a result of static electricity. But you usually need a fairly large and concentrated toner cloud, so this is more a toner plant problem than one you'll encounter in an office setting.

I would be more concerned about the ozone, as it causes headaches in most people, even with minor exposure. Ventilation is the key, of course. Even printers with ozone filters will have some, though at reduced levels.

Below is a list of laser printers that tested a high level of emissions.
HP Color LaserJet 4650dn
HP Color LaserJet 5550dtn
HP Color Laser Jet 8550N
HP LaserJet 1320N
HP LaserJet 1320n
HP LaserJet 2420dn
HP LaserJet 4200dtn
HP LaserJet 4250n
HP LaserJet 5(a)
HP LaserJet 8000DN
HP LaserJet 8150N
TOSHIBA Studio 450