Laser printers: serious health risks
p2pnet news | off topic:- Office laser printers are dangerous and could even cause cancer, says an Australian physics professor.
An investigation led by Lidia Morawska (right) says, “dozens of laser printers revealed that almost 30 per cent emit potentially dangerous levels of tiny toner-like material into the air,” according to Australian Associated Press.
However, the researchers didn’t analyze the chemical makeup of the particles, says CTV.
Nonetheless, they think that they come from toner, ultrafine powder used in laser printers instead of ink.
“They found that the printers emitted more dust when the toner cartridge was new, and when the printers were used for printing graphics, which require greater amounts of toner,” says the story.
“The health effects from inhaling ultra-fine particles depend on particle composition, but the results can range from respiratory irritation to more severe illness such as cardiovascular problems or cancer,” APP has has Morawska, from the Queensland University of Technology, stating.
She and her colleagues looked at 62 brands of printers, classifing 17 as, “high particle emitters” because they released such elevated quantities of particles, says CTV, going on:
“On the other hand, 37 of the 62 printers didn’t release enough dust to diminish air quality; six released low levels, and two, medium levels.”
The findings were made by accident, says the story.
“Her team had been testing a large, open-plan office in the Brisbane central business district to gauge the efficiency of ventilation in protecting office workers from outdoor air pollution.”
The study included popular models sold under the names of Canon, HP Color Laserjet, Ricoh and Toshiba and will be published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T).
The CTV story includes a detailed list of low, medium and high risk printers.
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