Skip to main content

Is Your Office Printer Dangerous?

Australian scientists have discovered that the laser printer, a standard fixture in virtually every office, can damage lungs in very much the same way as cigarette smoke.   Almost one-third ofthe printers emit potentially dangerous levels of toner, according to a study by scientists from the Queensland University of Technology.   Tests werecarried out on over 60 different models, with virtually one-third emitting minute particles that could infiltrate the lungs, possibly causing respiratory irritation or more chronic illnesses.  The tests were conducted in a standard open-plan office, and particles levels rose fivefold during working hours, which the scientists blame on use of the printers. When new cartridges were insertedin the printer, or when graphics were being printed, the levels of toner in the air were significantly higher. The potential damage to lungs is similar to smoking cigarettes.   Professor LidiaMorawska of QUT says the study serves as a warning to employers.

”Printers should operate in environments where there is as much ventilation as possible and as far as possible from where people’s desks are located.”

Editors' Recommendations

Digital Trends Staff
Digital Trends has a simple mission: to help readers easily understand how tech affects the way they live. We are your…
How to tell if someone is using your Wi-Fi (and kick them off)

Do you need a new router or is someone outside of your household using your Wi-Fi without you knowing? There are lots of possible reasons behind a slow internet connection (and solutions), but if you think someone is stealing your Wi-Fi, you'll need to know how to confirm if that's happening and how to stop it from happening again. In this guide, we'll show you how to do both.

As long as you have your media access control (MAC) address and an app or two, you can determine if someone is stealing your Wi-Fi or if your connection is just slow. Here’s how.

Read more
How to connect Alexa to your TV for smart voice control
The Vizio OLED 4K HDR TV in living room.

Though it's commonly used with smart home devices like the Echo Pop and Echo Show 8, the Alexa voice assistant works just as well on most TVs. When connected to your TV, Alexa makes it easier than ever to chat with the voice assistant without having to leave the comfort of your couch.

Read more
Echo Hub vs. Echo Show 8: Which is the best option for your smart home?
An Echo Hub mounted on the wall near a living room.

The Echo Hub and Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) are two of the newest products to join the Amazon catalog. Both are designed with large touchscreens and make it easy to access the Alexa voice assistant, connected smart gadgets, and your favorite apps. But while the two share a few similarities, there are big differences between the Echo Hub and Echo Show 8.

Here's a closer look at the Echo Hub and Echo Show 8 to help you decide which is best for your smart home.
Pricing and design

Read more