Emissions from laser printers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Hopper
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Michael Hopper

According to the magazine Chemistry and Engineering News (Feb 9 2009)
the emissions reported from some laser printers have a complex
origin. The hot surfaces and the toner and the paper contribute in
subtle ways.

From the most recent issue of Chemical and Engineering News Magazine
of the ACS.

According to the chemists:-

PRINTER PARTICLES FORM IN AIR

Laser printers can be a significant source of ultrafine particles,
generating levels in some offices equal to those of busy roadways
(C&EN Online, Latest News, Aug. 1, 2007). Inhaling such particles can
lead to respiratory problems. A new study now elucidates the chemical
composition of airborne, printer-related particles and the mechanisms
by which they form. Lidia Morawska of Queensland University of
Technology, in Brisbane, Australia, and colleagues demonstrated in lab
studies that the particles are not emitted directly from the printers.
Rather, the particles form in the air from volatile organic compounds
originating from the paper and hot toner (Environ. Sci. Technol., DOI:
10.1021/es802193n). Particles form via either spontaneous homogenous
nucleation or secondary particle formation involving ozone that is
created during the printing process, Morawska explains. Analysis of
particles showed mostly organic components, ranging from ethylbenzene
to decanes. The particles also contain inorganics such as iron, from
iron oxide in the toner, and calcium, traced to a calcium carbonate
coating on the paper.

The findings may help the printer industry reduce printer emissions,
the researchers suggest.—RAP
 
This exact report was first published about ?a year? ago,

The study indicated model number, manufacturer and age of the printer,
as well as if a third party toner was used, all may contribute to this
variability between printers. What isn't clear is if the components of
the toners (again, can differ considerably) cause any long term health
risks for people in the office environment.


Art


If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/
 
This exact report was first published about ?a year? ago,

The study indicated model number, manufacturer and age of the printer,
as well as if a third party toner was used, all may contribute to this
variability between printers.  What isn't clear is if the components of
the toners (again, can differ considerably) cause any long term health
risks for people in the office environment.

Art
Click to expand...

No Art; this is an additional report that is yet to be published but
has been accepted by the journal of Environmental Science and
Technology.

The new data that is provided is the chemical composition of the
emitted particles (not determined earlier). They are not bits of
toner or external additives but organics formed by heating the paper
and toner in the fuser.

Mike
 
OK, very interesting.

I believe this is the same group of researchers then from the first
study set. Glad to hear they have decided to further pursue the matter
and I look forward to reading their results.


Art

If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/
 
newshound said:
omigod nanoparticles we're all going to die.....
Click to expand...

I'm sure you are right!

Mike
--
Michael J Davis

<><
When we forget ourselves,
we usually do something that everyone else remembers.
Anon
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