Laser printers and indoor air quality

 Source: diskdepot.co.uk [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

This is not breaking news, but important nonetheless since we spend so much time indoors in office environments.

Office printer could be posing as much danger to the lungs as a drag on a cigarette, according to air quality tests by Australian scientists.

An investigation of dozens of laser printers revealed that almost 30 per cent emit potentially dangerous levels of tiny toner-like material into the air.

These ultra-fine particles are capable of infiltrating the lungs and causing lasting damage on the scale of inhaled cigarette smoke, said researcher Professor Lidia Morawska, from the Queensland University of Technology.

"Ultra-fine particles are of most concern because they can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can pose a significant health threat," Professor Morawska said...

..."The health effects from inhaling ultra-fine particles depend on particle composition, but the results can range from respiratory irritation to more severe illness such as cardiovascular problems or cancer..."

Read the full article by at in the Brisbane Times

Read the orginal research report by Morawska, et al, in the science journal Environmental Science and Technology

The CBC did their own research, see their study here



Banned, contemporary chemicals widespread in U.S. pregnant women.

A new study finds for the first time that the bodies of virtually all U.S. pregnant women – and possibly their unborn children – carry multiple chemicals, including some banned since the 1970s and others used in common products such as non-stick cookware, processed foods and personal care products.

Synopsis by Ami Zota, Sc.D in Environmental Helath News

Original article by Tracey J. Woodruff, Ami R. Zota, Jackie M. Schwartz in the science journal Environmental Health Perspectives

Replacement for BPA is also found to have negative health effects

An animal study finds for the first time that another widely used phthalate affects development when exposure occurs in the womb and early life. It is also the first to show the chemical can affect brain development, too. DINP – a phthalate that is increasingly used in plastic products – caused similar changes in the male reproductive system as other types of recently banned – but more potent – phthalates.

Synopsis by Emily Barrett and Wendy Hessler from Environmental Health News

Original article in the science journal Reproductive Toxicology