Photocopier Sickness How Photocopiers Can Affect Health

It's just 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 many what is in fact a potentially risky, temperature chemical process occurring 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 carbon black which are also hazardous and toner dust, whatever its composition, can be a respiratory irritant and is generally classified as a 'nuisance' substance. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) may also be emitted in the photocopying process, exposure to 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 many of us have of them as unshakeable office workhorses. This short article aims to outline the potential health threats of photocopiers and what can be carried out to keep your workplace environment as safe as possible.

Ozone

Ozone is a naturally occurring gas made by the sun and by lighting. In get more info , it is an oxygen molecule made up of three oxygen atoms - O3. It really is present in the air at typical concentrations of between 0.002 and 0.05 parts per million (ppm). Ozone is also made by many devices which involve electrostatic processes, such as in the motors of household hoovers or in the processes that happen on the drums of many photocopiers. Ozone decomposes relatively quickly into oxygen, given that it decomposes by half in around 5 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 quite a few years ago showed that ozone levels at work environment could possibly be increased if devices were not correctly maintained (due to increased electrostatic 'sparking') or were in high humidity environments and its own harmful effects on health (mice were used in the tests) were more pronounced when ozone would be in touch with certain types of furnishings. At higher concentrations of between 1 and 2 ppm, ozone could cause quite severe headaches, cheat pains and even extreme fatigue.

When buying a photocopier, it's advisable to choose a device from the leading, reputable manufacturer and ensure you choose a respected supplier with regards to servicing and maintenance. Users should also 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 put into well-ventilated areas where exhausts do not pass over workers so when placed in combination with other devices, an environmental assessment may be necessary to ensure emissions usually do not exceed safe levels. Most modern do feature air filters and air flow 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 avoid the high voltage air exchange which creates ozone. On photocopiers with higher output speeds it isn't always possible to employ 'direct charge' technology, so manufacturers will most likely supply devices with higher grade 'catalytic' filters as opposed to the more standard charcoal filters which are typically used.

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

Toner

Toner can be released from photocopier vents and where equipment is poorly maintained, it can back up from the waste compartment and will be emitted from the photocopier in greater amounts. Most toners found 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 levels of up to 7% carbon black, known to be a nuisance dust which can irritate the skin and airways. If heated in a minimal oxygen atmosphere, carbon monoxide can 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 if you find a higher voltage discharge in the air. When it comes to its effects on health, again they are almost identical to carbon monoxide at the low end of the spectrum causing headaches and an elevated pulse rate.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)

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

While well-maintained, up-to-date photocopiers should not pose health threats 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 result in greater than normal discharges. Photocopier safety recently 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 already been equipped with a much higher standard of filtration units that may significantly cut ozone output along with other emissions. Efforts to reduce carcinogens imply that now virtually all photocopiers feature Ames-negative drum photo-chemicals, which means this is now significantly less of a concern as well.

But for all the considerable value of these advances safely standards, all that technology can be effectively undermined when care and attention lapses. No matter how advanced the safety features on photocopiers becomes, photocopier buyers/users should always remain alert to 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.