A team of Australian scientists says that
printers can damage your health in the same way as cigarette
smoke. They say that some printers should come with health
warnings.
"If this finding is verified, it would open up a Pandora's box
of civil claims and criminal liabilities under health and safety
laws", says Dr Simon Joyston-Bechal, a doctor and specialist in
health and safety law at Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind
OUT-LAW.COM.
The research was conducted by the Queensland University of
Technology. It found that 17 of the 62 printers tested emitted tiny
particles of a substance like printer toner that were so small that
they could penetrate a human lung, causing breathing problems.
Though the team had not conducted a full chemical analysis of
all particles, but reports have emerged that some could be
carcinogens.
The research linked the particles to printer use by testing the
air in an office in and out of working hours. It revealed that the
elements were five times denser in office hours than out of them,
and even more prevalent when ink-heavy image files were being
printed.
The quality of air in offices is already regulated in the UK by
the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance on how to
deal with wide format inkjet printing. It says that printers should
only be housed in well ventilated rooms, with wall or
window-mounted fans to increase the supply of fresh air. It says
that sealed replacement cartridges should be used where
possible.
"I would advise against panic and knee jerk reaction on this,
and in favour of a measured and documented assessment of the risks
arising and whether on a precautionary basis certain precautions
ought to be undertaken," said Joyston-Bechal. "This could include
monitoring the research and taking considered professional
advice."
Joyston-Bechal said most health and safety risks with printers
are well-known and documented. They range from electrical hazards,
noise, dusts and fumes to exposure to hazardous chemicals which can
cause respiratory problems, including occupational asthma, and
dermatitis
These risks are controlled in the UK through several health and
safety regulations, notably the Workplace
(Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992; the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
and the Control of Noise at
Work Regulations 2005. Primarily aimed at commercial printing
organisations, the Health & Safety Executive, in partnership
with the Printing Industry Advisory Committee, has published a
suite of 50 guidance notes, COSHH essentials
for printers.
"This latest research comes as part of a long line of increasing
evidence of the deleterious effects of inhaled dusts on the human
body," said Joyston-Bechal. "Indeed, many dusts already have
EU-wide Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), which place legally
enforceable upper limits on exposure to air-borne dusts."
"Undoubtedly, the EU and Health & Safety Executive will
review the latest findings carefully with a view to updating the
published guidance and WELs," he said. "In the
meantime, employers should review their procedures and
COSHH
assessments to ensure that they comply with the current regulations
and guidance with, as appropriate, specialist advice from a
qualified Occupational Hygienist."
Employers with a few small office printers which are routinely
maintained and situated in well-ventilated areas have no reason to
panic, said Joyston-Bechal.
