HP says its laser printers are safe, do not cause health problems
By Jonathan Schlaffer
You may remember a report that was released by Queensland University saying that the “particle emissions” from several brands of laser printers could be associated with potential health risks. HP had the worst offenders of the group while also having printers with “low or no” emissions.
Printers from Canon, HP and Toshiba (Toshiba makes printers?) were all tested. Of the 62 printers, 17 were found to be emitting dangerous levels of ultrafine particles, the effects of which on human health have yet to be studied in detail.
HP admits that more study in this field is necessary but being the corporate entity that it is, just had to release a statement through its PR agency courtesy of Tuan Tran, vice president of marketing, “the nature and chemical composition of such particles – whether from a laser printer or from a toaster – cannot be accurately characterized by analytical technology.”
In addition to that HP says it is doing its own research on the matter but is quick to point out that it has “been active with two of the world’s leading independent authorities on this subject: Air Quality Sciences in the United States and the Wilhelm-Klauditz Institute in Germany.”
Engadget has the whole statement released by the company. I’d agree that more testing is necessary but even the thought that these printers have the potential to cause health problems is enough to scare some people and send various government agencies on a “witch hunt.”
I still say that one day in the not too distant future, laser printers will be required to have the following label clearly visible on the box, “This printer has been approved by the FDA for home or office use due to emitting none or low amounts of ultrafine particles, please see the rating chart on the side of the box for more information.”
Until we know for sure, I’m going to stick with inkjets at home. Just to be safe if you have a laser printer at home or in your office, you might want to keep your local fire department’s Hazmat response on speed dial (in case someone breaks a toner cartridge open).
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