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Office printers emit dust particles which are 'as bad for you as smoking'
Last updated at 09:07am on 01.08.07
Printers emit dust particles which are claimed to be as bad for you as smoking
Office printers can generate such potentially dangerous levels of pollution, they should come with a health warning, scientists have said.
A third of computer printers produce high concentrations of ultra-fine dust that can damage the lungs in much the same way as tobacco smoke, a study found.
While the researchers are not calling for a workplace printer ban, they say exposure to high levels of ultra-fine dust can be a "significant health threat", and increase the risks of lung disease, heart disease, strokes and cancer.
The disturbing findings come from a study of 62 laser printers carried out by Australian scientists.
They believe the culprit is the toner used in laser printers and photocopiers instead of ink.
In an office setting, 17 printers released potentially dangerous levels of ultra-fine dust into the air, the researchers said.
One released dust at a rate comparable to the emission of particles from a cigarette.
The ultra-fine particles are capable of infiltrating the lungs and causing lasting damage, said Dr Lidia Morawska of Queensland University of Technology.
Toner particles are so fine, they can take 15 minutes to settle after being released into the air.
"Ultra-fine particles are of most concern because they can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can pose a significant health risk," she said.
"These particles are tiny like cigarette smoke particles and when deep inside the lungs they do the same amount of damage."
The researchers found that 37 of the printers released no particles that affected air quality, six released low levels of dust and two emitted medium levels.
More than half of the printers tested - and all but one of the highest polluters - were made by HP Laserjet.
A Toshiba laser printer was also in the most polluting group, the report in the Environmental Science and Technology journal said.
Concentrations of ultra-fine particles rose fivefold during work hours when printers were busy.
Printers sent out more pollution when they had been recently given a new toner cartridge, and when they printed pictures and graphics that used plenty of toner.
Dr Lidia Morawska added: "It wasn't an area that we consciously decided to study. We came across it by chance.
"Initially we were studying the efficacy of ventilation systems to protect office settings from outdoor air pollutants.
"We soon realised that we were seeing air pollution originating indoors, from laser printers.
The researchers said printers were an "important indoor source of pollution" and called on government officials to consider regulating the emission levels from laser printers.
"Even very small concentrations can be related to health hazards," she added.
"Where the concentrations are significantly elevated, it means there is potentially a considerable hazard."
She called for more research into the health risks of printers and urged people using laser printers to ensure they were well ventilated.
The trade association for electronics manufacturers, Intellect, said it was aware of the study, but was unable to comment until it had seen the full research.
Last night HP said it was also unable to comment.
The study did not look at the risks from photocopier toner. However, people who service photocopiers are usually advised to avoid breathing in toner on health grounds.
The British Lung Foundation spokesperson Dr Emrys Evans said: "It sounds like interesting research, but we would need to see the full report to evaluate it properly.
"Most of us spend 90 per cent of our time indoors, so it is important to ensure that the air we breathe is as clear and unpolluted as possible and to that end offices should always be kept well ventilated.
Reader views (9)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Is the printer in my office doing me more harm than say, breathing in the fumes while walking down an average city street. There can be too many health scares!
- Stewart Howe, Sutton
Chris, At least I can now come out of a pub or club and not stink of cigarettes..
- Martin, London, UK
Good point Chris - I'm definitely given up smoking printers now - back to the cigars and pipe for me.
I mean, it's a fact smoking doesn't do you any harm.
- Lilly, London
This report makes very interesting reading and serves to consolidate the widely held view that today's multifunctional devices or MFD's (which perform copying/printing/scanning functions in a single device) are a much better proposition as they reduce or even eliminate stand alone laser printers and the heat, emissions, power and running costs that are required to keep them running.
As a supplier of MFD's to many large clients, we evangelise the 'scan-don't-copy' philosphy and the use of 'scan-to-email' which allows users to copy and send documents electronically by email rather than creating yet more paper copies and using post or couriers to deliver them. But if you do need to print, better to employ one MFD than several laser printers.
Tom Perry, Director, Morgan Brookes plc, London.
PS The picture you used looks like an inkjet printer which is not covered in the report on laser printers.
- Tom Perry, London
There are more carcinogens in diesel fumes than my little cigarette, so every time you cross a road you are putting your health at risk, but if anyone gets cancer it's always a smoker's fault, not other factors we come into contact with every day.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
No, Chris (UK), the anti-smoking people are right to try to minimise smoking. What we need now is another campaign against printer and copier dust!
- John H. Evans, London, U.K.
I have removed all of our printers from the office and placed them in our local pub to see who whines first.
- Trevor Roll, London
This is scary stuff. I've been sitting next to a HP LaserJet printer for years. I changed the toner cartridge yesterday, and by chance felt very wheezy all last evening. Now I can't help but wonder if there is some connection.
- Phil Jones, London UK
This report shows just how blinkered anti-tobacco groups have been. All the ills of the world were heaped upon the shoulders of the smoker at the exclusion of all other polutants. Groups such as ASH and CRUK should be investigated and have all funding cancelled after their simplistic hate campaign against smoking and their exclusion of many other causes of a complex illness.
- Chris, UK
