Office Printers May Pose Health Risks

drewmoney writes "The BBC reports on new findings which may have implications for the way offices are laid out. According to an Australian study, around a third of modern printer models release 'potentially dangerous levels of toner into the air' as they are completing a job. 'Almost one-third were found to emit ultra-tiny particles of toner-like material, so small that they can infiltrate the lungs and cause a range of health problems from respiratory irritation to more chronic illnesses. Conducted in an open-plan office, the test revealed that particle levels increased five-fold during working hours, a rise blamed on printer use. '"

we've solved this problem

[yagu]

We worked out an agreement with all the smokers on the floor. We've installed our printer outside the front entrance about 20 feet away from the door. That's where all of the smokers go to take a break... they're saving money on cigarettes, and the office air is clean. Of course, it's a bit of a hassle waiting for the smokers to bring in our printouts.

it's for their own good

[Anonymous Coward]

See... I've always told my employees that we lock them up in isolation chambers for their own good.

Management perspective

[IBBoard]

Managers across the country have been heard mumbling things like "Forget the employees, how can we recover all of this lost toner to extend toner cartridge life and reduce print costs?" and "So that's why our toner life was never as long as the brochure".

PC Load Letter....

[Njoyda Sauce]

Time to get the bats out again.

Inkjet printers do not have this problem...

[Anonymous Coward]

...only laser printers shed toner powder into the air.

Am I safe?

[Shadow Wrought]

Do I have to worry about the toner particles when I open up my e-mails? Or is it only a problem if I open the attachment?

Re:we've solved this problem

[iamdrscience]

they're saving money on cigarettes

Not until they make nicotine toner cartridges they aren't.

That fresh printer smell

[techiemikey]

Well, this explains why i always like that "fresh printer smell" after printing out a document at work. I always thought it was just the sense of accomplishment, but apparently it's just yet another thing bad for me. Figures...first the McDonalds...now the printers.

Re:we've solved this problem

[Heftklammerdosierer!]

Call it Nicotoner. A catchy name means you're half way to success already!

Then a few years later market the Nicotoner Patch, promising to finally usher in the era of paperless offices.

Re:we've solved this problem

[ajs318]

That's like the dodgy landlord who asked all prospective tenants if they smoked ..... if you said "yes" he put you in a house with asbestos, and if you said "no" he put you in a house with a gas leak.

Re:Am I safe?

[MiniMike]

No, most of the particles fall out in the tubes on the way to your computer.

But you do have to be very careful when unplugging any cables from your router...

Re:we've solved this problem

[xENoLocO]

I can see the Phillip-Morris style PSA's from HP already... lol

Re:we've solved this problem

[russotto]

Inkjets? You're talking about a device which deliberately aerosolizes and ionizes organic and inorganic solvents containing toxic pigments and dyes. Stuff's deadly. Stay away. Best just to use pencil and paper... uhh, wait, using a pencil releases carbon microparticles.... better skip the hardcopy entirely.

Re:we've solved this problem

[Kadin2048]

better skip the hardcopy entirely.

And irradiate myself by using a computer monitor? No way!

Re:No worries - they still have a perfect scapegoa

[Anonymous Coward]

bean eaters learn what should have been common courtesy.

Most people who fart do have the common courtesy to leave, or at least apologize if it was involuntary. Some hide their transgressions in anonymity, but smokers can't really get away with that.

Of course, if you're as lucky as I was in my previous job, you'll be moved to your very own office.

Re:we've solved this problem

[Anonymous Coward]

The backlight in your LCD display has toxic mercury which can get into groundwater and eventually accumulate in fish!