A recent study from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia says that office printers could be as dangerous to the lungs as cigarette smoking!
The researchers tested dozens of laser printers and found that some of them emit what they consider to be dangerous levels of ultra-fine toner particles into the air. These ultra-fine particles can cause lasting damage to the lungs, according to researchers. They say the health effects can vary based on what the ultra-fine particles are composed of, and that resulting problems can range from respiratory irritation to severe cardiovascular problems and even cancer.
The tests were performed at the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health at Queensland University of Technology. Sixty-two different machines from makers Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Mita were tested; seventeen of them were marked as “high particle emitters”. The researchers also tested other office equipment, but found that printers were the biggest offenders when it came to air particles in an office environment.
Emissions varied from one machine to another, depending on printer age, ink cartridge model, and cartridge age. The printers in the study gave off more ultra-fine particles when the toner cartridge was new, and when the printer was producing graphics and images that required greater amounts of toner. Over all, ultra-fine particles in office air increased five times during work hours — when printers were in use.
The researchers hope their study results will encourage governments to regulate particle emissions from printers and other office equipment. They also suggest that office managers make sure rooms and buildings are well ventilated to allow ultra-fine particles in the air to disperse.
Hewlett-Packard responded to the study yesterday, disagreeing with the results. In a press release, they said they stand behind the safety of their products and points out that ultra-fine particle testing is a new discipline and that current technology cannot accurately analyze the nature and composition of ultra-fine particles in the air. More testing is needed, and they are working with Air Quality Sciences in the U.S. and the Wilhelm-Klauditz Institute in Germany to learn more about ultra-fine particle emissions. However, HP does not believe there is a link between printer emissions and serious health risks — or any health risks.