Laser Printers can be harmful

Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology have conducted a study that shows that one third of tested laser printers emit potentially dangerous levels of toner particles into the air during use.

The researchers carried out the tests on more then 60 machines in an open-plan office environment in downtown Brisbane over the course of a continuously monitored 48 hour period.

Air-monitoring devices placed inside the office measured a five fold increase in the amount of toner particles in the air during working hours when compared to off hours.

The concern about the amount of toner particles in the air is over the size of the particles. With the majority of the particles being less than 0.1 micrometer in diameter, this means that they can easily enter your bloodstream after being absorbed through your lungs.

Don't fret just yet though as it has yet to be determined if there are any carcinogens in the toner particles themselves. Further studies will need to be conducted in order to find out if that laser printer you sit beside of at work is as bad as cigarette smoke.

So, do you think this is just another mobile phone mast health scare or should we really be concerned about it? Let us know your thoughts over in the forums or in the comments section below.