Health danger from office printers - worse than smoking?

LordChaverly · 31-07-2007, 18:29

According to this article, they could be more hazardous to your health than cigarette smoking.

I will wager that there will be a rash of compensation claims after this becomes widely publicised

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...rinters131.xml

torin8 · 31-07-2007, 18:33

This has been known for years and I thought that the toner manufacturers were doing something about it.
A risk assessment of it is here:
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/local/safety/SA/RA.toner.html

Can't see it being more harmful than cigarettes really - especially since I don't go around snorting toner.

Mathom · 31-07-2007, 18:36

I know someone who was made ill from being sat next to a photocopier for some months - there are recommendations that copiers should always be situated in en enclosed, ventilated room where desks are not located. So this is not a surprise!

LordChaverly · 31-07-2007, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by torin8

This has been known for years and I thought that the toner manufacturers were doing something about it.
A risk assessment of it is here:
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/local/safety/SA/RA.toner.html

Can't see it being more harmful than cigarettes really - especially since I don't go around snorting toner.

I can't remember reading about this before - perhaps I have, but have forgotten about it.

torin8 · 31-07-2007, 18:38

If you are concerned at work then it's always worth asking for a risk assessment from your Health & Safety person

JoeP · 31-07-2007, 18:59

About 15 years ago when laser printers first came out I refused to sit next to one because of the 'ozoney' smell - early laser printers seemed to be VERY smelly! I've always avoided being near them.

Just put them away from the desks and keep the area well ventilated.

Allen · 31-07-2007, 20:42

I've spent 34 years repairing and servicing them.
I also smoke.

Should I change mi job or stop the fags?

torin8 · 31-07-2007, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

I've spent 34 years repairing and servicing them.
I also smoke.

Should I change mi job or stop the fags?

Well, anything you can do to help you live that little bit longer might be worth while. Ultimately the choice is yours.

JoeP · 31-07-2007, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

I've spent 34 years repairing and servicing them.
I also smoke.

Should I change mi job or stop the fags?

I guess when you think of how copiers have been in use over the years, I get teh feeling that this is just another over-reaction.

Actually....the fact that you smoke as well is probably not good. the toner particles will adsorb (correct spelling) the chemicals from the smoke on to their surface, and carry them in to teh lungs where they'lllodge rather than stand a chance of being exhaled again.

Definitely stop smoking.

LordChaverly · 31-07-2007, 20:46

I read a report recently that lung cancer was on the increase amongst people who had never smoked. I suspect there is some environmental cause (or set of causes) which have nothing to do with smoking - this could be one of them, who knows for certain?

JoeP · 31-07-2007, 20:55

LordChaverley, there's been an increase in the amount of small particulates in the air over the years - diesel engines, for example, produce something called 10 micron particlulates (PM10s) which are particles between 2 and 10 millionths of a metre in diameter.

They're produced by diesel engines, other combustion of fossil fuels (petrol produces very little), volcanoes, etc.

http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content...1E7E06B3.node1

These particles have a 'rough' surface which allows them to carry chemicals on their surface, and are small enough to get deep in the lungs and then big enough to stay there, blocking off oxygen take up and keeping the chemicals in contact with the lungs.

In the days before they took more care in mines, it was often noted that smokers who were also face workers had more risk of lung cancer than face workers who didn't smoke or smokers who didn't work atthe coal face. The fine dust would 'hang on' to chemicals form the cigarette smoke.

Greybeard · 31-07-2007, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordChaverly

I read a report recently that lung cancer was on the increase amongst people who had never smoked. I suspect there is some environmental cause (or set of causes) which have nothing to do with smoking - this could be one of them, who knows for certain?

As Joe says traffic fumes are likely at the bottom of it. Traffic density has increased significantly, traffic moves much more slowly at busy times which means the fumes don't get dispersed and many more cars these days are diesel powered rather than petrol powered.

Ghozer · 31-07-2007, 22:48

17, out of 62 ...

and how many of them 17 are over 2 years old?? which is when they started being careful of such... really... thats too low for me to worry about honestly...

upinwath · 31-07-2007, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeP

They're produced by diesel engines, other combustion of fossil fuels (petrol produces very little), volcanoes, etc.

I'm in real trouble. I drive a diesel van at the moment and my new house is near a volcano or three.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-7.467...05.0&t=k&hl=en

Look to the north east on satellite.(zoom in to about 50%)

sTaGeWaLkEr · 01-08-2007, 07:35

I've been reading about this problem in recent weeks and have given the situation some serious thought. I think I've managed to come up with a solution that will benefit everyone.

What would make sense is if next time the workers go out for a quick smoke, they could take the office printers out with them, locate them at the side of their non-existant ashtray near the front door while they smoke and hey presto, problem solved.

ps. Shall I send this to Viz?

seriessix · 01-08-2007, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by sTaGeWaLkEr

I've been reading about this problem in recent weeks and have given the situation some serious thought. I think I've managed to come up with a solution that will benefit everyone.

What would make sense is if next time the workers go out for a quick smoke, they could take the office printers out with them, locate them at the side of their non-existant ashtray near the front door while they smoke and hey presto, problem solved.

ps. Shall I send this to Viz?

BOOKSHOP owners. Annoy Christians by putting the Bible in the 'Fiction' section of your shop where, joking aside, it actually belongs.
T Rumpole, Bailey

http://www.viz.co.uk/letterbocks/top...ory.php?id=681

JoeP · 01-08-2007, 14:45

Coming back on topic - more on why we're all getting sicker.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6922937.stm

The air is just getting nastier.

andco · 01-08-2007, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeP

Coming back on topic - more on why we're all getting sicker.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6922937.stm

The air is just getting nastier.

that's what I would have expected,.

Shazbat · 02-08-2007, 12:29

At this very moment, I could practically touch the photocopier that's stood behind me. Its a temporary measure, so I'm told, due to the ongoing work in the building but if it persists or becomes an issue for me then I'll be mentioning it to someone.