What are the hazards of laser printers?

Parliamentary question Question for written answer E-003988/2020to the CommissionRule 138Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE), Anna Cavazzini (Verts/ALE) Since the 1990s concerns have been voiced about the health risks of laser printer emissions. Numerous studies have shown that the toner used in laser printers contains hazardous compounds such as metallic nanoparticles and carcinogenic substances which are emitted into ambient air during the printing process and can cause various health issues.

1. Which of the Commission’s legislative proposals and initiatives address this issue, taking into account the pending non-toxic environment strategy and the Green Deal objective of tackling environmental health issues? 2. Given the serious health concerns revealed by the studies, will the Commission revoke the exemption for inks and toners from the criteria in Article 6(6) of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel? 3. Is the Commission considering the inclusion in European Union legislation on product safety and liability and consumer rights of an obligation that laser printer manufacturers incorporate pollutant filters?

Last updated: 21 July 2020 – : Parliamentary question

What precautions should be taken during laser printer?

Laser Printer Precautions

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Safety Information This printer uses laser technology. The following precautions apply whenever you use the printer. Even if you are familiar with other types of printers, be sure to follow these precautions carefully to ensure safe, efficient operation.

Do not touch the areas inside the front and rear covers of the printer, which are marked with the caution labels. If the printer has been in use, these areas may be very hot.

(Visible when the imaging cartridge is removed.)

Do not touch the components inside the printer unless instructed to do so in this guide.

Never force the printer’s components into place. Although the printer is designed to be sturdy, rough handling can damage it.

Be sure not to scratch the surface of the drum. When you remove the imaging cartridge from the printer, always set the unit on a clean, smooth surface. Also, avoid touching the drum, since oils from your skin can permanently damage its surface and may affect print quality.

Do not turn the cartridge upside down or stand it on its ends.

Avoid exposing the imaging cartridge to light, and never open the drum’s protective cover as this may damage the light sensitive drum. Overexposure of the drum may cause very dark or light areas to appear on printed documents and reduce its functional life.

When handling the cartridge, always set it on a clean, smooth surface.

Do not attempt to modify or take apart the cartridge. It cannot be refilled.

Do not touch the toner and avoid all contact with your eyes.

Allow the imaging cartridge to reach room temperature before installation.

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To get the best print quality, do not store the imaging cartridge in a place subject to direct sunlight, dust, salty air, or corrosive gasses (such as ammonia). Avoid locations subject to high temperatures, humidity, or abrupt changes in temperature or humidity. Also, be sure to keep the consumable components out of the reach of children.

Laser Printer Precautions

What are the safety precautions for printers?

Choosing a place for the printer – Observe the following when choosing a place for the printer: Place the printer on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the base of the printer in all directions. If you place the printer by the wall, leave more than 10 cm between the back of the printer and the wall.

The printer will not operate properly if it is tilted at an angle. When storing or transporting the printer, do not tilt it, stand it on its side, or turn it upside down. Otherwise, ink may leak from the cartridges. Allow spaces behind the printer for the cables, and space above the printer so that you can fully raise the document cover.

Avoid places subject to rapid changes in temperature and humidity. Also, keep the printer away from direct sunlight, strong light, or heat sources. Do not place or store the printer outdoors, near excessive dirt or dust, water, heat sources, or in locations subject to shocks, vibrations, high temperature or humidity.

Is laser printer a health hazard?

Is working next to a printer as bad as inhaling secondhand smoke? A study by researchers at Queensland University of Technology’s Air Quality and Health Program says that might be the case. The Australian research team tested 62 recent laser-printer models from Canon, HP LaserJet, Ricoh and Toshiba in order to measure the levels of emissions they produced.

Researchers tested the printers in an open-plan office, the sort of floor plan found in many offices around the world, and in a controlled chamber. The tests showed that some printers emitted tiny bits of toner in the form of ultrafine particles (UFPs), These particles can penetrate into the lungs and, the study’s authors say, lead to respiratory complications, cardiovascular problems and cancer.

Dr. Lidia Morawska, the study’s lead researcher, and her coauthors compared the health effects to those from cigarettes, The researchers fear that these UFPs may contain carcinogens, Printers were assigned to categories based on level of UFP emissions: non-emitter (37), low-level emitter (six), medium-level emitter (two) or high-level emitter (17).

Twelve of the high-level emitters were HP printers. Though they’re similar in design, photocopiers produced no emissions. In the open-plan office test, airborne particles increased 500 percent during the workday, Researchers also found that emissions levels were elevated even when printers were on standby.

New cartridges and print jobs requiring lots of ink (such as images) produced more emissions. Soon after Dr. Morawska and her team published their study in Environmental Science & Technology, a publication of the American Chemical Society, HP released an official statement, criticizing the study and its claims.

HP said that they “do not believe there is a link between printer emissions and any public health risk”, They did acknowledge that “ultrafine, fine and coarse particles are emitted from printing systems” but said they were “below recognized occupational exposure limits”, The company also said that it performs rigorous testing and adheres to guidelines from more than one environmental organization.

Before we look at what others are saying about the study, let’s take a closer look at what the researchers were concerned about: ultrafine particles and printer toner. UFPs are tiny particles, less than 0.1 micrometer in size – or 1/1000th the size of a normal dust particle.

The EPA and other organizations are performing research on UFPs, some of it related to concerns about possible health effects from nanotechnology. The small size of UFPs allows them to penetrate into human alveoli, the sacs inside our lungs. Once inside, their ability to do harm depends on their chemical composition.

That’s where printer toner comes in. Toner is the ink used by laser printers. It’s different from the ink found in inkjet printers, Laser toner is made up of a dry, ultrafine powder, which has a positive electrical charge so that it sticks to the printer’s drum.

Laser toner also contains a compound called carbon black, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) calls a Class 2B carcinogen, By the IARC’s standards, that means that carbon black is “possibly” carcinogenic to humans. The IARC tests show that “sufficient evidence” exists to show that carbon black is carcinogenic to animals, while “inadequate evidence” exists to prove that it’s carcinogenic to humans,

So if carbon black is possibly carcinogenic to humans and is found in laser toner, does that mean that it’s in UFPs produced by laser printers? And, in turn, should we be worried about the health effects of those UFPs? On the next page, we’ll look at what we know and don’t know about laser-printer emissions.

What are the two types of laser hazards?

What are the types of hazards found when using lasers? – Back to top There are two types of laser hazards: the laser beam hazards and the non-beam hazards. Laser beam hazards include eye and skin burns which are due to laser beam shining on a person’s body.

Unintentional eye exposure during alignment Misaligned laser beam Lack of eye protection Equipment malfunction Improper handling of high voltage systems Use of unfamiliar equipment Improper restoration of equipment following service

What is the safety hazard of laser?

Hazard Recognition – The following references aid in recognizing laser hazards in the workplace.

Laser Hazard Classes (source: U.S. FDA Laser Hazard Classes)

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What would be the most common laser hazard to a laser user?

Laser effects on the eye – The unprotected human eye is extremely sensitive to laser radiation and can be permanently damaged from direct or reflected beams. Due to tissue characteristics, the area of the eye damaged by laser energy is dependent upon the wavelength of the incident laser beam. The retina, cornea, and lens are the areas most commonly damaged.

Retina: Laser light in the visible to near-infrared spectrum can cause damage to the retina. These wavelengths are also known as the “retinal hazard region.”

Visible and near-infrared (400 – 1400 nanometer or nm) laser light pose a critical hazard on the retina. Infrared A is transmitted by the cornea to the lens of the eye which narrowly focuses it on the retina, concentrating the radiant exposure of the laser by up to 100,000 times. Since the tissue structures of the retina are unable to undergo any repair, lesions caused by the focusing of visible or near-infrared light on the retina may be permanent. The most critical area of the retina is the central portion, the macula, and the fovea.

Cornea and lens: Laser light in the ultraviolet or far-infrared spectrum can cause damage to the cornea or the lens.

Ultraviolet (180 nm to 400 nm): Photochemical damage is caused by the absorption of UV light by selective sensitive portions of cells of the cornea. Many proteins and other molecules (DNA, RNA) absorb UV light and are “denatured” by the radiation. Excessive exposure to UV light can cause photophobia, redness of the eye, tearing, discharge, stromal haze, etc. These adverse effects are usually delayed for several hours but will occur within 24 hours. The lens principally absorbs UVA (315-400 nm). The lens is particularly sensitive to the 300 nm wavelength. XeCl eximer lasers operating at 308 nm can cause cataract with an acute exposure. Far infrared (1400 nm to 1 mm; CO2 lasers, 10600 nm): Thermal damage is caused by the heating of the tears and tissue water of the cornea by the infrared light. Excessive exposure to infrared radiation results in a loss of transparency of the cornea or surface irregularities.

What type of hazard is laser printer toner?

Reasonably foreseeable outcome – Toners are usually a mixture of plastic resin, iron powder and carbon black (CAS 1333-86-4). Carbon black is classified as a nuisance dust (a group 2B carcinogen, possibly carcinogenic to humans). Animal studies have not revealed any carcinogenic qualities in inhalation tests of carbon black.

• small growths
• irritated eyes
• headache
• itching skin
• Direct contact with toner can lead to skin and eye sensitisation

Chemicals generated during operation of a typical photocopier include: ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds. Ozone is produced during the high voltage electrical discharge in photocopiers. It is highly toxic, with health effects such as:

• eye, nose, throat and lung irritation
• dermatitis
• headaches
• nausea
• premature ageing
• potential reproductive dangers

• However, it does dissipate quickly if there is adequate ventilation.
• The manual for the four smaller machines used in the department (Sharp AR-151) asserts the emission level is insufficient to cause any health hazard.
• Carbon monoxide can be produced when toner is heated if there is inadequate air supply.
• Its effects include:

• headaches
• drowsiness
• increased pulse rate

A range of volatile organic compounds can also be emitted, several of which are carcinogenic.

What are four types of hazards found in the printing industry?

The printing industry relies on a host of harmful chemicals. The substances your business needs, such as inks, lacquers, adhesives and cleaning solvents, could cause ill health.

What hazardous materials are in printers?

Why Can’t You Throw Away Old Printers? – For one thing, it is illegal to dispose of e-waste in a regular landfill. The federal government has laws against it, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Not only that, but 25 states, which is exactly half, currently have their own e-waste recycling laws on the books.

The penalties for improper disposal of e-waste can be severe. Mishandling of e-waste in 2014 cost AT&T $52 million in fines. There is a good reason why the government is so concerned about e-waste in landfills and so strict about enforcing the laws prohibiting it. Printers and other electronics contain metals such as mercury and lead that are toxic.

Throwing e-waste in the garbage results in one of two scenarios: Either it is incinerated, or it goes to a landfill. In the former case, the ash from the fire can pollute the air with toxic chemicals. If e-waste ends up in a landfill, the hazardous material can leach into the ground and contaminate the soil.

What are two security risks associated with sharing printers in a?

Explanation: Three security concerns related to shared printers include (1) cached print files could contain sensitive data ; (2) user authentication is needed to control access to the printer; and (3) print jobs could be read by others, intercepted, copied, or modified.

Is it safe to sit next to a laser printer?

While you still should keep your distance from that coughing coworker, you also should avoid sitting near the printer, as its toner could be toxic to your health.

What is the highest hazard laser?

Class 4 – LASER RADIATION AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO DIRECT OR SCATTERED RADIATION CLASS 4 LASER PRODUCT Class 4 is the highest and most dangerous class of laser, including all lasers that exceed the Class 3B AEL. By definition, a class 4 laser can burn the skin, or cause devastating and permanent eye damage as a result of direct, diffuse or indirect beam viewing.

1. These lasers may ignite combustible materials, and thus may represent a fire risk.
2. These hazards may also apply to indirect or non-specular reflections of the beam, even from apparently matte surfaces – meaning that great care must be taken to control the beam path.
3. Class 4 lasers must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock.

Most industrial, scientific, military, and medical lasers are in this category. Medical lasers can have divergent emissions and require awareness of nominal ocular hazard distance (NOHD) and nominal ocular hazard area (NOHA).

What is the most hazardous laser?

Class 4 Lasers – Class 4—the most dangerous lasers. Proceed with extreme caution if the laser is not properly enclosed. The output power of class 4 laser products is so high that they can ignite materials. That power is what makes them attractive for laser cutting, laser marking, laser welding, and laser cleaning,

Class 4 is the highest class in terms of laser hazards. If you’re within the hazard zone, you’re exposed to severe eye and skin injuries. In addition, combustible materials shouldn’t be in the laser’s surroundings to avoid fire hazards. Diffuse reflections of class 4 lasers are also hazardous. You could get sunburns or lose sight simply by looking at a workpiece being processed.

A good rule of thumb is to pay attention to warning labels, wear protective equipment if required, and follow any additional control measures for laser safety. Fortunately, class 4 lasers can be properly enclosed to render them essentially harmless. For example, automated laser marking machines manufactured by Laserax are class 1 laser products, but they include high-power laser systems that range from 20 watts to 500 watts.

What would be the most common laser hazard to a laser user?

Laser effects on the eye – The unprotected human eye is extremely sensitive to laser radiation and can be permanently damaged from direct or reflected beams. Due to tissue characteristics, the area of the eye damaged by laser energy is dependent upon the wavelength of the incident laser beam. The retina, cornea, and lens are the areas most commonly damaged.

Retina: Laser light in the visible to near-infrared spectrum can cause damage to the retina. These wavelengths are also known as the “retinal hazard region.”

Visible and near-infrared (400 – 1400 nanometer or nm) laser light pose a critical hazard on the retina. Infrared A is transmitted by the cornea to the lens of the eye which narrowly focuses it on the retina, concentrating the radiant exposure of the laser by up to 100,000 times. Since the tissue structures of the retina are unable to undergo any repair, lesions caused by the focusing of visible or near-infrared light on the retina may be permanent. The most critical area of the retina is the central portion, the macula, and the fovea.

Cornea and lens: Laser light in the ultraviolet or far-infrared spectrum can cause damage to the cornea or the lens.

Ultraviolet (180 nm to 400 nm): Photochemical damage is caused by the absorption of UV light by selective sensitive portions of cells of the cornea. Many proteins and other molecules (DNA, RNA) absorb UV light and are “denatured” by the radiation. Excessive exposure to UV light can cause photophobia, redness of the eye, tearing, discharge, stromal haze, etc. These adverse effects are usually delayed for several hours but will occur within 24 hours. The lens principally absorbs UVA (315-400 nm). The lens is particularly sensitive to the 300 nm wavelength. XeCl eximer lasers operating at 308 nm can cause cataract with an acute exposure. Far infrared (1400 nm to 1 mm; CO2 lasers, 10600 nm): Thermal damage is caused by the heating of the tears and tissue water of the cornea by the infrared light. Excessive exposure to infrared radiation results in a loss of transparency of the cornea or surface irregularities.

What is the main hazard with the laser cutters?

Laser Cutter Safety Laser Cutters are versatile tools that can be used for cutting, marking, and engraving different materials. From enclosed laser cutters to tabletop versions, laser cutters are becoming more affordable and used for various applications. The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) considers Laser Cutters a class 1 laser based on ANSI Z136.1.

1. These devices are safe when used as designed without manipulating the safety features.
2. However, the lasers embedded inside the enclosed system are often Class 3B or Class 4 lasers that can cause serious eye and skin injury if the beam is not contained.
3. This equipment must be used and maintained properly to avoid incidents.

Laser cutters require proper ventilation to prevent fires and exposure hazards.

Fire/Hot objects

During operation, substrate material is burned away, generating significant amounts of heat. Some materials can catch fire during cutting operations. Dirt and debris may cause fire.

Hazardous vapors and fumes & Exhaust Systems

Cutting specific material there is potential to produce Laser Generated Air Contaminants (LGAC’s), Contaminants can pose a health risk to those exposed; examples airborne benzene, toluene, hydrochloric acid, isocyanates, and other by-products which maybe hazardous. Laser cutter MUST be exhausted via FP&M approved duct work to the outside of the building. Exhaust systems must be installed properly and meet all manufacturer specifications.

Other Hazards: Exposure to laser beam can cause severe eye damage or skin burns. Sharp edges could result in lacerations, and puncture wounds.

Warning signs are necessary to inform about the risk of exposure during use and maintenance. Signs are available from EH&S Radiation Safety Office.

All users should receive training on the potential hazards, operating procedures, and safety precautions before operating the laser cutter.The owner is responsible for providing each user with training on the safe operations of the laser cutter.Online general laser safety training is available on EH&S website:

NEVER operate system unattended. Properly maintained fire extinguisher should always be in the area. Always keep the area around cutter free of debris, clutter, and flammable materials. Keep interior of the laser cutter clean and free of debris. Visually inspect the interior between uses and clean tray if debris or residue are present. DO NOT modify or disable any safety features of the laser system. DO NOT operate the laser unless all covers are in place and interlocks are working properly. DO NOT look directly into laser beam. DO NOT view directly with optical instruments. Use accepted materials only. Some materials engraved, marked, or cut with the laser can produce toxic and corrosive fumes. DO NOT operate if the view port is damaged, with any doors removed, or if any safety interlocks are defeated NEVER defeat laser interlocks built into the cutter. This could allow the beam to escape the laser cutter.

Comments, questions, or concerns about laser safety, contact Laser Safety at : Laser Cutter Safety

What is the most serious hazard associated with lasers?

Laser Non-Beam Hazards The most serious hazard associated with lasers is the electrical hazard from the laser power source. Several fatalities have occurred because of this hazard. Most laser power supplies contain severe electrical hazards. They often contain high voltages and energy storage capacitors and may also include water cooling.

Is it safe to sit near a laser printer?

While you still should keep your distance from that coughing coworker, you also should avoid sitting near the printer, as its toner could be toxic to your health.

Jack Gloop