Photocopier and Laser Printer Hazards

Photocopiers and Laser Printers are safe when used occasionally and serviced regularly. But if they are badly positioned, poorly maintenance and used frequently or for long runs, there are risks to health, ranging from irritated eyes, nose and throat to dermatitis, headaches, premature ageing and reproductive cancer hazards. Proper ventilation and maintenance are essential in eliminating hazards



The chemicals

Ozone and other chemicals can occur above the OEL (occupational exposure limit) when the copying room is small, ventilation is inadequate, and/or the photocopiers is used a lot.



Ozone

Ozone is a gas produced during the high voltage electrical discharge in photocopiers and laser printers. It is sweet smelling and highly toxic with a UK OES of 0.2 ppm (15 minute reference periods) if you can smell ozone the levels are too high. Ozone breaks down in air quite quickly though this can be slowed by high humidity, temperature and some effect of office furnishings. Health effects are eye, nose throat, and lung irritation, dermatitis, headache and nausea, premature ageing and potential reproductive dangers. Pruritus, a kind of itching occurs on the face, neck and areas of skin exposed to ozone. When mixed with nitrogen oxide in certain proportions it can have an effect on the central nervous system.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

VOCs also emitted during photocopying. These can contain traces of decane ( carcinogenic)1,1,1-trichloroethane (can cause skin irritation), iso-octane, toluene( causes fatique, drowsiness, throat and eye irritation, xylene ( can cause menstrual disorder and kidney failure) and benzene (carcinogenic and teratogenic)

Selenium and Cadmium Sulphide

Some copiers used drum impregnated with selenium or cadmium sulphide. The gas emitted from these materials especially when hot can cause throat irritation and sensitization (I,e adverse reaction to very tiny quantities of chemical) to exposed workers. Short term exposure to high levels of selenium by ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and rhinitis. The UK MEL for selenium compounds is 0.1 mg/m3 ( ACGIH is 0.2 mg/m3). This is more a risk to maintenance staff when cleaning or grinding the surface of the drum. Cadmium compounds have a MEL of 0.025 mg/m3 (over a 8 hour reference period) and ACGIH is 0.002 mg/m3.

Nitrogen oxide

Nitrogen oxide may be produced when there is a spark in electrostatic photocopiers. Symptoms are similar to those produced by carbon monoxide. The OEL is 25 ppm
,

Carbon Monoxide

Is produced when toner (containing carbon black) is heated in an inadequate air supply .Some copiers can reach half the OEL in well ventilated rooms. In poorly ventilated conditions the effects include headaches, drowsiness, faintness and increased pulse rate. Carbon monoxide can cross the placenta and affect the unborn child. The OEL is 30 ppm ( 8 hour reference period)

Toners

Toners are generally a mixture of plastic resin and carbon black often with other additives. Carbon black is classified as a nuisance dust (i.e is only mildly toxic in itself) but will contain impurities known to be carcinogens. Toners should be handling with care, protective glove should be worn, and dust release minimized. Contact with tongue e.g by touching copied papers with a wetted finger can lead to small growths on the tongue. Other health effect may be irritated eyes, headache and itching skin. Maintenance workers are at risk from repeated exposure which can lead to skin and eye sensitization.

Other hazards

Ultraviolet light
Photocopiers lids should be kept closed when the machine is in used. Ultraviolet light can be cause eye irritation and burns.

Noise
Can reach up to 65 dB(A) for ordinary copiers. Care should be taken in sitting copiers with noisy collators as far from workers as possible.

Fire
Excessive dust in electrical equipment will cause sparking. Provision of carbon dioxide extinguishers near machines is essential.

Jams
Even though most machines cut out when opened, they should be switched off before removing jammed paper. Avoid hot surfaces and wash hands immediately afterwards.


LASER PRINTERS- Another similar hazard

Laser printers are often placed on desk tops beside workers and they produce ozone like conventional photocopiers. Thus there must be regular checks on filters which may need to be replaced as often as one month. Tests on the efficiency ion filter under factory conditions on new machines do not take into account deterioration under heavy use in the workplace.


Lets work and healthy ……………

Source: The London Hazards Centre
http://www.lhc.org.uk/