Laser Printers can be a health hazard
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
August 5, 2007 10:25am CST
"Some home and office laser printers pose serious health risks and may spew out as much particulate matter as a cigarette smoker inhales, an Australian air quality researcher said Tuesday." It seems there was a study done and name brands such as Canon, Hewlett-Packard and Ricoh were found to be "high particle emitters"; one of the 17 pumped out particulates at a rate comparable with emissions from cigarette smoking, the study said." Of course, these were studies done in an office environment with lots of printers being used constantly. But, the article still recommends good ventilation at home. This is an amazing thing! Here's the link to the article.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,135297/article.html
1 person likes this
8 responses
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
5 Aug 07
I have heard some printers were more hazardous than others and handling the ink cartridges can cause health problems as well. They always say to wear gloves when changing ink cartridges. I was not aware of these brands being more hazardous as I thought HP was one of the better ones. I think I have good ventilation at home.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
5 Aug 07
I understand the benefits of keeping technology within certain health and safety guidelines, but we should also be a little more realistic.
If we take heed of all the warnings related to food and technology that are issued on a regular basis, then we would be living in caves and have a very limited diet.
I also find it quite absurd that time and resources are spent on this level of research while we are still destroying the ozone layer with vast emissions and polluting the seas etcetera. Surely such major global issues should be centre of attention.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
5 Aug 07
I read a similar article earlier in the week. It is amazing that a printer can spew off that many tiny particles and how sick those can make a person. To make matters worse, where I work is not a small office, we have 3 lazer printers, 2 currently in use. I don't think the place is that well ventilated. It is a shame that this company could not just compile a list of safe and unsafe printers (or at least the ones they tested) so that everyone would know if their office is equipment might be hazardous.
1 person likes this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
8 Aug 07
Well I've used a laser printer for a large number of years now, and just today I took delivery of a new colour laser that I am looking forward to using.
I'll check out the report but it won't stop me from using my new toy.
@phon4u (2215)
• Laos
6 Aug 07
I used to think about the printer locating next to me all the time during the day at work. And this has been the sharing HP Laser printer for 5 years. I will move to another maybe higher than me.
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
8 Aug 07
I have a HP printer but I only use it every so often and I keep my windows opened as much as possible. I do not think we all need to watch what our home air quality is. I keep my windows opened in the spring and summer. No bad air in her except what comes in from outdoors.
