Laser printers can be as unhealthy as cigarette-smoke

[Zen Candle]

Emissions from office laser printers can be as unhealthy as cigarette smoke, according to an Australian professor who is now calling for regulations to limit printer emissions.

Office workers breathing easy since smoking was banned in public places in the United States and the United Kingdom have new reason to worry, according to research from the Queensland University of Technology's Air Quality and Health Program, led by physics professor Lidia Morawska.

The average printer releases toner particles that can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems and cardiovascular trouble, according to Morawska's team, part of the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, and specialists in atmospheric particles.

The team tested 62 laser printer models--all relatively new--and found that 17 of them were "high emitters" of toner particles. Despite using similar technology, office photocopiers do not emit particles, the team found.

The particles have not had a full chemical analysis, but some are potential carcinogens, according to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald. Several of the high emitters were Hewlett-Packard LaserJet models, such as the 1320 and 4250, although eight HP LaserJet 4050 series printers were shown to have no emissions, according to reports.

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http://www.nytimes.com/cnet/CNET_2100-1041_3-6200085.html?em&ex=1186286400&en=37d8c7039ea93c30&ei=5087%0A#

I saw this article in the NYTimes today and I had to post it here immediately--especially for those with smaller homes and children around. I just joined recently, but I've been reading these forums a lot lately to learn more about what others do for their businesses. I don't have a laser printer yet and I was thinking about investing in one for my labels after reading these forums. But I'm definitely thinking twice now.