Office printers can be as bad for your lungs as smoking
By shelagh77
@shelagh77 (3643)
August 1, 2007 12:07am CST
Finally another reason for lung disease which does not implicate the beleaguered smoker. Scientists have discovered that the particles of toner released into the air by laser printers are capable of causing as much lung damage as cigarette smoke.
There is something that can be done to very much reduce the risk, and that is to ensure that the printer is in a very well ventilated area. So if you are in an office where you have to work closely to the printer and there is no ventilation you may like to draw this article to the attention of your health and safety rep.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6923915.stm
2 people like this
2 responses
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
8 Aug 07
I will stick with my inkjet printer, thank you. I was considering getting a laser printer, but then I would want a colored one, and one that has a wide bed. I want a wide bed inkjet printer because I am writing a novel and making up a new world and I need enough room to make the map. But now this information about lung damage makes me more convinced that even though I have to buy those expensive $30 to $50 inkjet refills, I will keep using inkjets, until they make a safer toner.
1 person likes this
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
6 Dec 07
It worried me too, since because I am nearly deaf I was seated nearest the printer because I would not be bothered by the noise :-(
Good luck with making up the new world and the map, that sounds really interesting.
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
6 Dec 07
I know. If this research is accepted you may still be able to claim though. People who have contracted mesothelioma (sorry not sure of spelling) are suing many years after they contracted it as research has only just pinpointed asbestos as a cause.
