2007-08-07 05:41:55 · 3 answers · asked by missmayzie 7 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Printers
Can't tell you about US research, however the University of Queensland here in Australia has done research about particulate matter ejected from laser printers while operating. Some HP models are quite bad, as are many others. Search the uni website and look in health dept.
2007-08-12 23:12:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there any modern equipment which does not have any bad effect !!
Laser printers can have the following impacts -
1. Exposure of LASER to human eye - if any one look directly to the source of Laser it may permanently damage the retina. However the Laser source is well covered and if any cover is open the Laser gun is disconnected. Now if any one bye passes any interlock and try to look on to it, can be dangerous - but this act would be suicidal.
2. The toner powder (the ink) is micro fine particles. If inhaled then its dangerous for lungs. It can even cause lungs cancer. Therefore Laser printers should be kept in a well ventilated room. This particles keep on flying in the air surrounding it. At the time of production of printer its under WHO limit. But if a printer is not maintained the amount of particles would certainly increased. However a Laser printer at home, if well maintained, would take 25 years to produce enough toner cloud to make a person seek, if he sits in front of the printer for that period in a close room. So don't worry much. We inhale much more dust particle in one morning walk in a autumn morning.
3. The third risk is Ozone production. Older printers and heavy duty printers produces electrical arcing to charge the photoreceptor. The high voltage arcing produces OZONE, which may be dangerous on prolong inhale. However present day laser printers do not produce arcing and so no Ozone formation.
In my 20 years of experince with photocopier and Laser printer servicing I have inhaled enough toner and ozone, incidentaly nothing has been happend to me or neither to any of my collegue. The reason is toner particles and neutral particle and do not have any chemical effect.
2007-08-14 14:28:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
About the only harmful effects occur if you hurt your back by picking one up that is too heavy, if you drop one on your foot, or if you open the top and stare into the light.
What other harmful effect do you think there might be?
2007-08-11 00:54:42 · answer #3 · answered by Wiz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋