Laser Printers’ Hazards

Laser printers are so common these days. We work around them all the time, whether at home or in the office. I know I have one at home which is indispensable. Well, I was quite shock that Dr Ben Kim has recently pointed out a study which pointed out that working near laser printers can be hazardous to our health.

Here are some of the findings of the study:

1. New toner cartridges and graphic-heavy printing projects tend to emit the most ultra-fine powder — believed to be toner — into the air.
2. Some well known brand printers release enough toner into the air to increase the total amount of fine particles in a typical office environment by 500 percent during work hours.
3. Seventeen of the 62 printers that were tested were categorized as “high particle emitters.” Specific models that were identified as high or potentially high emitters are as follows:
* HP Color LaserJet 4650dn
* HP Color LaserJet 5550dtn
* HP Color LaserJet 8550N
* HP LaserJet 1320N
* HP LaserJet 1320n
* HP LaserJet 2420dn
* HP LaserJet 4200dtn
* HP LaserJet 4250n (old)
* HP LaserJet 4250n (new)
* HP LaserJet 5(a)
* HP LaserJet 8000DN
* HP LaserJet 8150N
* Toshiba Studio 450
4. Thirty-seven of the 62 printers that were tested did not release particles that compromised air quality, six released low levels, and two released medium levels.
5. Printers that were tested to be in the non-emission category were made by Toshiba, Mita, Ricoh, and HP LaserJet.
6. Low-level emitters were made by Canon, Ricoh, and HP.
7. The two printers that were categorized as mid-level emitters were made by HP.

It is important to make sure the room you are working with laser printers are well ventilated with plenty of fresh air. Here is Dr Ben Kim’s article on laser printers’ hazards.