Posted by NJDiva on 8/16/11 11:09am
Msg #393815

Does anyone know if there are dangerous health...

ramifications to not having ventilation in the room while using four printers (or any amount for that matter?)

My office is 10'x12'. I have four printers and an all-in-one which I only use for faxing and flatbed copying.

I use two for letter size pages and two for legal size pages. One is a dual tray HP and a second is a dual tray Brother in the event I don't have time to manually input the page ranges for the correct size. The other two printers are single tray, one being an HP and the other a Samsung.

I've always had two-three printers. About 8 months ago or so, I added the fourth. I started having problems with my nose running. It was very strange. I think I may have gotten used to it, but I'm wondering if I am causing serious health issues for myself.

I think I read somewhere that a printer should be in a well ventilated area. I have no ventilation. There is a window in my office, but I have a window air conditioner. And in the winter, there's no way I can keep it open.

Can anyone shed some insight please?

Reply by ME/NJ on 8/16/11 11:14am
Msg #393816

I have a HEPA air cleaner in my office, I do notice on days I do not have it on and do alot of work my office will get dusty from everything being on and running and the large amount of paper.

I try and keep the windows open while I'm in there also.

Reply by NJDiva on 8/16/11 11:19am
Msg #393818

Thanks Mike...yeah I have one too...forgot to mention...

but I don't know that it helps really. Does anyone else's office get a weird smell, like burning rubber or something? Of course it's the toner, but it CAN'T be healthy...lol

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 8/16/11 11:34am
Msg #393819

Here's some research results

Laser printers and copiers are suspected to emit toner dust and volatile organic compounds and thereby to represent a health hazard. This article summarizes the present state of knowledge about emissions of laser printers and copiers and the present quality standards. There are no data showing an excess exposure of consumers working with laser printers and copiers to inhalable fine dust and volatile organic compounds. Toxicity studies show that toners consist of low-toxicity poorly soluble particles. In experimental animals, accumulation of toner particles in the lung following long-term inhalation exposure to high toner concentrations may cause chronic inflammation and lung fibrosis. Chronic in vivo inhalation studies with rats and hamsters did not show increased lung tumor rates. However, intratracheal instillation of very high toner doses produced significantly increased lung tumor rates in rats. Since there is no significant exposure of consumers to toners using copiers and laser printers these effects are unlikely to occur in humans. Case reports show that inhalation exposure to toner may be associated with symptoms of the upper and lower airways in sensitive subjects. Presumably, these symptoms are related to individual hypersensitivity reactions. Most of these reports suffer from severe shortcomings (inadequate documentation of medical history and exposure; inadequate evaluation of causal relationships).

Reply by Paul2_FL on 8/16/11 11:42am
Msg #393821

Hi NJDiva,

Here's an article you might be interested in.

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/local/safety/assessments/ratoner.html

Like you I have a number of printers in my office. Sometimes I may have two or three going at the same time but mostly just my dual tray one.
Again, like you, I have been concerned about what affect operating these have on my health but don't really see any alternative if I want to keep working in this business. BTW - The only ventilation I have is keeping the office door open!

Reply by SouthernOK on 8/16/11 12:20pm
Msg #393827

WIWD as a chemist

If you are worried about the toner dust you'll need something that gets small particles like a filter for a clean room, like what TI uses in it's wafer fab plants. It's almost certainly out of your price range.

If the volatile organic compounds are your concern, then you'll want a filter system with activated charcoal. VOC's are not filtered out with regular filter papers. You'll need something called a degassifier, mega bucks BTW.

So unless you are going to spend BIG bucks, you are left with only a few "best" solutions.
1. Open the window and exchange fresh outside air. Using a fan can speed this up.
2. Using a fan to blow this junk into your house and dilute the toxins but now they'll be everywhere.
3. Get a ton of plants. Houseplants are excellent at removing air toxins. Several studies report with amazing results the amounts of chemical removal by everyday houseplants.

http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html

Using google you can get tons more links...

I do the houseplant trick, and my allergy machine air filter for seasonal allergies. I am very chemical sensitive due to all my years in the labs.

Reply by Ali/IL on 8/16/11 12:26pm
Msg #393830

Re: WIWD as a chemist

I figure that there may be unhealthy dust or vapors going into the air.
What I have noticed is that I go into my kitchen to refill the toner cartridges. Now, I have on the blender cover a coating of toner dust that won't come off. So, we should fill those cartridges outside when possible.

Reply by SouthernOK on 8/16/11 12:30pm
Msg #393832

clean it with a "magic eraser" n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 8/16/11 12:29pm
Msg #393831

There's paper dust & toner dust (minute carbon particles). A good air filter will help, but I know my allergies/breathing are worse since I'm involved in this biz. Our lungs are filters, after all.

Reply by NJDiva on 8/16/11 12:49pm
Msg #393835

GREAT FEEDBACK! Thanks Maggie, Paul, Southern OK, et al!!

Really awesome posts thus far. I learned a bunch from them all. I can't wait to hear more. I'm sure others have input.

What I especially liked and have known (so why the heck haven't I been utilizing it?) is that plants are very advantageous in filtering the air. I guess it didn't occur to me that they would be beneficial in my office as well; I didn't realize that they would filter those particles too...lol.

Not to mention the fact that my office is pretty well jammed with "office" necessities. I will definitely find room for them.

Warmly,
Cheryl

Reply by Paul2_FL on 8/16/11 12:57pm
Msg #393837

Re: GREAT FEEDBACK! Thanks Maggie, Paul, Southern OK, et al!!

I'm for getting some house plants. Any recommendations?

Reply by SouthernOK on 8/16/11 1:24pm
Msg #393838

My fav houseplants

I like the Chinese evergreen, they come in a variety of leaf colors/patterns and they are hard to kill. My second is the snake plant AKA mother-in-law's tongue. It's great in low light and thrives on neglect.

Peace lily isn't a good match for me because if you don't keep it moist it will show and once it looks sad I can't seem to bring them back.

Almost all of the ones on the list are readily available at the grocery store, hardware store or plant shops. Until you know what you like and what you won't kill try a variety of smaller plants and move them around your office/house until you find the right combination.

The point is to have fun and pick something you like!
http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/easy-to-grow-plants.html
then click on the low light or ten you can't kill link at the bottom

Reply by Paul2_FL on 8/16/11 1:40pm
Msg #393840

Re: My fav houseplants

Thanks SouthernOK,
Got your message after I posted mine.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 8/16/11 2:04pm
Msg #393845

Re: My fav houseplants

My problem with houseplants is my animals... they eat them. I love plants, but I've yet to find one that at least one of my four (2 cats, 2 dogs) won't nibble on, devour or use as a littler box.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/16/11 2:20pm
Msg #393847

you tried any cactus?? LOL n/m

Reply by Paul2_FL on 8/16/11 1:39pm
Msg #393839

Re: GREAT FEEDBACK! Thanks Maggie, Paul, Southern OK, et al!!

Answered my own question. See here:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/02/air-filtering-plants-indoors-air-quality-benzen-formaldehyde.php

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/17/11 12:26am
Msg #393901

If you have pets, cross-check the lists for animal safety

Some house plants are poisonous for dogs and/or cats. A good quality combination HEPA/carbon filter is also a very good option. I had one for many years, but I eventually couldn't get any more replacement filters. Getting the newer model (which is much more quiet and sleek looking) is on my wish list, but on the pricey side.

What a huge difference, though. When I first got it, I was living right next to a major freeway, but never had to dust. I left it off for a few days once when I forgot to re-order replacement filters, and my furniture was coated in black soot within three days! And to think that we're breathing in all that stuff! (BTW, this was way before I got into the notary business - and well before pcs and home printers.)

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/16/11 6:15pm
Msg #393867

I feel fine other than the occasional contact buzz. n/m

Reply by Jessica Ward on 8/16/11 6:34pm
Msg #393869

Thanks for asking--I've wondered about this too. . n/m