Toxic dust from laser printers makes you sick

Billions of particles are rejected by laser printers

25/02/2013

Laser Printers: They are considered fast and efficient. Many companies rely on the high-tech devices. For years, however, individual experts have repeatedly pointed out the toxic dangers of laser printers. So far, however, no major public could be made aware of this issue, so that the industry does not react. Now has the NDR consumer magazine „market“ taken up the topic. The result: „Many laser printers bleed billions of toxic substances into the air“. Although the particles are extremely tiny, but just that state is also very dangerous to health.

So far, consumer advocates or scientists have not accepted the dangers of laser printers. Nevertheless, a discussion about the dangers of laser printers flares up again and again. It is confirmed that the printers release extremely small particles, so-called nanoparticles, into the environment. So far, clear data was missing, which is actually contained in the toxic particulate matter.

Secret list of the Federal Environment Ministry surfaced
According to information from the television magazine „market“, could „the sometimes highly toxic emissions are attributed to concrete printer models“. In this context, the Federal Environment Ministry had examined a total of 10 printers from different manufacturers for particulate matter emissions by laboratory technology. When the results were on the table, the ministry refused to disclose the data to the public. But the editors of the program could approach the highly explosive data via an informant.

According to the magazine, for example, the Konica Minolta Magicolor 4650 EN would secrete about 3.3 billion particles per printed Din A4 page. Furthermore, the Epson EPL N3000 is expected to give around 2.4 billion nanoparticles. According to the results of the investigation, the particles would also be contaminated with heavy metals. An almost equally secreting laser printer is the Brother HL 5240th This would blow according to the results of the Federal Environment Ministry about 1.4 billion particles in the air.

Nanoparticles with heavy metals
Those very particles can be very harmful to health, say the editors of the NDR´s. Some of the printers examined emit a particularly large number of particles with heavy metals. Environmental physicians and toxicologists classify these substances as „questionable“ on. A study by researchers at the University of Freiburg showed that these substances damage human lung cells. „This can cause cancer“, so the Freiburg scientists. Eight of the ten analyzed printers are according to the sender „still in the original or in modified construction in the trade“. The NDR broadcast can be seen tonight at 8.15 pm. (Sb)

Also read:
Laser Printer: Alarming Results?
Carcinogenic particles from laser printers?

Picture: brit berlin