The office printer may be as dangerous to the lungs as smoking, according to air quality tests.Queensland University of Technology International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health scientists studied dozens of laser printers and said almost 30 per cent emitted potentially dangerous levels of ultra-fine particles capable of infiltrating the lungs and causing lasting damage on the scale of inhaled cigarette smoke.
QUT professor Lidia Morawska said: "Ultra-fine particles are of most concern because they can penetrate deep into the lungs. These (printer) particles are tiny like cigarette-smoke particles and, when deep inside the lung, they do the same amount of damage. The health effects from inhaling ultra-fine particles. . . can range from respiratory irritation to more severe illness such as cardiovascular problems or cancer."
The researchers advised good office ventilation to allow the airborne particles to disperse.
Link & Image: Couriermail
Tags: Laser Printer | Smoke
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