A new study suggests that some printers emit dangerous particles that could make office workers sick.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology
in Australia found that 17 of the 62 printers they tested were “high
particle emitters” that posed a threat to humans. They say 37 of the
printers didn’t emit any particles, but one gave off particles at the
same rate as a burning cigarette.
“These [printer] particles are tiny like cigarette smoke particles
and, when deep inside the lung, they do the same amount of damage. 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,”
Professor Lidia Morawska, the study’s author, tells The Age.
Her research showed that particle levels were five times higher
during working hours because of the emissions from printers. She says
the printers were more likely to emit dangerous particles when the
toner cartridge was new or the machines was being used to print
detailed images.
“Printers should operate in environments where there is as much
ventilation as possible and as far as possible from where people’s
desks are located.” she tells tells Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
ABC Science has an extensive report on the findings.
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