Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Office Printers May Pose Health Risks

Posted by Zonk on from the like-the-one-to-my-immediate-right dept.

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. '"

16 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. we've solved this problem by yagu · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    1. Re:we've solved this problem by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Funny

      they're saving money on cigarettes
      Not until they make nicotine toner cartridges they aren't.
    2. Re:we've solved this problem by Heftklammerdosierer! · · Score: 5, Funny

      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.

    3. Re:we've solved this problem by ajs318 · · Score: 3, Funny

      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.

      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
    4. Re:we've solved this problem by xENoLocO · · Score: 2, Funny

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

      --
      "The need to build the internet comes from something inside us, something programmed... something we can't resist."
    5. Re:we've solved this problem by russotto · · Score: 4, Funny

      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.

    6. Re:we've solved this problem by Kadin2048 · · Score: 4, Funny

      better skip the hardcopy entirely.

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

      --
      "Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
    7. Re:we've solved this problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

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

  2. it's for their own good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

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

  3. Management perspective by IBBoard · · Score: 3, Funny

    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".

  4. PC Load Letter.... by Njoyda+Sauce · · Score: 3, Funny

    Time to get the bats out again.

    --

    You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever.
  5. Inkjet printers do not have this problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

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

  6. Am I safe? by Shadow+Wrought · · Score: 3, Funny

    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?

    --
    If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
    1. Re:Am I safe? by MiniMike · · Score: 1, Funny

      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...

  7. That fresh printer smell by techiemikey · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.

  8. Re:No worries - they still have a perfect scapegoa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    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.