Photocopier Sickness How Photocopiers MAKE A DIFFERENCE Health

It's a little known proven fact that photocopiers can affect health. The increasingly sleek plastic exteriors and the ever-expanding degree of functionality on photocopiers, hide for most what is in fact a potentially risky, temperature chemical process taking place whenever a page is printed. The electrostatic reactions which are in the heart of just what a photocopier does, produce ozone, a kind of oxygen molecule known to be harmful to human health. Toners may contain chemicals such as for example carbon black which are also hazardous and toner dust, whatever its composition, can be quite a respiratory irritant and is normally classified as a 'nuisance' substance. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) can also be emitted in the photocopying process, contact with which is harmful. But modern photocopiers are in no way a 'death trap'. With the proper equipment, maintenance and adequate ventilation, photocopiers shouldn't pose any significant health threats. Having said that, the safety of a photocopier should never be seen as a taken-for-granted fact. If devices are left unmonitored, misplaced or poorly maintained, they can pose a health risk, bellying the image a lot of us have of them as unshakeable office workhorses. This short article aims to outline the potential health risks of photocopiers and what can be carried out to keep your workplace environment as safe as you possibly can.

Ozone

Ozone is really a naturally occurring gas made by the sun and by lighting. In basic scientific terms, it really is an oxygen molecule composed of three oxygen atoms - O3. It is present in the air at typical concentrations of between 0.002 and 0.05 parts per million (ppm). Ozone can be made by many devices which involve electrostatic processes, such as for example in the motors of household hoovers or in the processes that happen on the drums of several photocopiers. Ozone decomposes relatively quickly into oxygen, given that it decomposes by half in around five minutes in an work place. Most countries do impose regulations for occupational exposure to hazardous substances and in Britain the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for ozone is 0.2 ppm.

But even at levels like these and notwithstanding the relatively low half-life of ozone, contact with the gas, even at apparently safe OEL levels can have some side effects. Ozone can irritate the eyes nose and throat, even at concentrations of half the OEL. Significantly though, a Danish study a number of years ago showed that ozone levels in the workplace environment could possibly be increased if devices were not correctly maintained (because of increased electrostatic 'sparking') or were in high humidity environments and its harmful effects on health (mice were found in the tests) were more pronounced when ozone will be in contact with certain forms of furnishings. At higher concentrations of between 1 and 2 ppm, ozone could cause quite severe headaches, cheat pains and also extreme fatigue.

When investing in a photocopier, it's advisable to select a device from a leading, reputable manufacturer and make sure you choose a respected supplier with regards to servicing and maintenance. Users also needs to consult the Product Safety Data Sheets (PSDS) for the photocopier they buy which provide full information of associated risks, siting guidelines and emissions levels. Generally, photocopiers should be placed in well-ventilated areas where exhausts do not pass over workers so when placed in combination with other devices, an environmental assessment could be necessary to ensure emissions do not exceed safe levels. Most modern do feature air filters and ventilation systems which can significantly reduce ozone emissions well below the OEL. Some photocopiers now also feature 'direct charge', which charge the photocopier drum directly and steer clear of the high voltage air exchange which creates ozone. On photocopiers with higher output speeds it is not always possible to hire 'direct charge' technology, so manufacturers will often supply devices with higher grade 'catalytic' filters as opposed to the more standard charcoal filters which are usually used.

Regular servicing of photocopiers and photocopier filter changes ensures that internal dust levels usually do not increase electrostatic activity and bring about extra ozone emissions. Again, good ventilation and top quality filters should limit this.

Toner

Toner could be released from photocopier vents and where equipment is poorly maintained, it could back up from the waste compartment and will be emitted from the photocopier in greater amounts. Most toners used in photocopiers today contain few hazardous substances. All substances found in Canon photocopiers toners for instance, have been assured negative in the Ames test, a screening test for carcinogenicity. But toners do often contain amounts of up to 7% carbon black, known to be a nuisance dust that may irritate the skin and airways. If heated in a minimal oxygen atmosphere, carbon monoxide could be produced from carbon black that may cause headaches, drowsiness, faintness and increased pulse rates. Again regular maintenance of photocopiers and good ventilation seems to be key.

Other Chemicals

Much like ozone in its origins and effects, nitrogen oxide is produced when there is a high voltage discharge in the air. With regard to its effects on health, again they are almost identical to carbon monoxide at the lower end of the spectrum causing headaches and an increased pulse rate.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)

During the temperature fixing process and the charging of materials on the photocopier drum, certain volatile organic compounds could be released. Whilst on modern photocopiers drum coating materials have also been tested for carcinogenicity and found negative on the Ames test, some coatings and their emissions can be an irritant. VOC emissions from older photocopiers where safety standards weren't typically so high, have already been known to include carcinogens such as for example decane, benzene among others compounds such as for example trichloroethane, isocoate, toluene and xylene that may also cause respiratory problems, skin irritations and fatigue. Again, good ventilation, regular photocopier maintenance and top quality filtration, where available, are necessary.

While well-maintained, up-to-date photocopiers shouldn't pose health risks when placed correctly, studies show that poor photocopier maintenance, high humidity can push ozone levels specifically on some photocopiers to potentially hazardous levels. This is equally true for toner dust emissions and nitrogen oxide where poor maintenance can lead to greater than normal discharges. Photocopier safety in recent years has come on quite a distance. Relatively low output photocopiers have been fitted with direct charge units which practically eliminate ozone gas emissions. Ozone producing photocopiers have been equipped with a much higher standard of filtration units that may significantly cut ozone output as well as other emissions. Efforts to reduce carcinogens mean that now virtually all photocopiers feature Ames-negative drum photo-chemicals, which means this is now much less of a concern aswell.

But for all of the considerable value of the advances safely standards, all that technology can be effectively undermined when care and attention lapses. Regardless of how advanced the safety features on photocopiers becomes, photocopier buyers/users must always remain aware of the potential safety risks. Placement, ventilation and regular maintenance are absolutely key and in larger deployments or placement in more confined poorly ventilated areas, professional environmental assessments may be advisable.

For more info on photocopier safety, contact any accredited Canon Business Solution Partner.

Clive Gilbert is really a leading document imaging technology consultant and writer, covering all the latest developments in the field of photocopiers.