The Little Known Health Risks of Laser Printer and Copier Toner

Just like almost all forms of technological hardware, copiers and printers in general have become more available and affordable over the last 20 years. Historically, these machines were big, bulky, expensive and inefficient. Ink jet printers were slow, used loads of ink, and the pages smeared if handled before the ink dried. Just as the equipment has evolved, so has the means of having a printer in your home or office become more convenient. For many, printer/copier rentals have become as convenient and economical as ownership.

Private and small business consumers have been especially well served by the advent of small and reasonably priced laser printers. Firmly established as the best printing method available, laser printing offers speed and clarity that is unmatched. However, ownership brings with it a relatively high cost of maintenance, and there are little known health risks associated with this type of equipment as well. While it is common knowledge in the industry, most users are not aware that the toner (ink) used in these machines is extremely toxic, and can be very dangerous if inhaled or spilled on your skin.

Toner is a black powder with the chemical name carbon black. It is a known carcinogen, and must be handled with extreme care. This is the reason that toner comes to us in sealed cartridges with warnings to handle with care and dispose of properly. The chemicals in toner are so toxic that it almost should be illegal to just throw "empty" cartridges in the trash. In many cases, styrene is one of the primary chemicals in toner. It is widely documented that styrene is suspected of being a carcinogen, among other health risks and OSHA states styrene on the skin or inhaled can cause 'various levels of irritation to the nose and throat, may cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue, impair co-ordination and balance and states that "a number of studies have reported on the effect to the central nervous system of repeated exposure to styrene vapours.'"

The toxic nature of printer toner is not terribly well publicized, but it is a major reason why the average consumer should consider this a major advantage of renting a copier versus purchase. Most businesses that rent out laser copiers and printers include maintenance and replacement of toner cartridges in the rental fees. Trained and qualified technicians are dispatched to your site to repair and maintain these machines when needed. This of course includes the know-how to properly and safely change and handle the toner, keeping you and your employees from being exposed to dangerous chemicals.

While sealed cartridges present a low incidence of spillage, they are expensive for most printing and copy machines, (in many cases they cost as much or even more than the price paid for the machine). This has created a risky trend wherein consumers opt to purchase refill packages, rather than buying new self contained cartridges. The refills are relatively inexpensive, but using them requires that you completely empty the original cartridge of any remaining toner, then refill with loose toner. Since this is a very fine powdery material, the odds of getting toner on your skin or inhaling the fumes increases exponentially. Money saved can equal health risks - but again, this is a non-issue when you rent your unit rather than own it.

Maintenance and handling of toner is only one good reason to rent your copiers and printers. When you rent, for instance, you can easily and inexpensively upgrade your equipment so you are always using the newest technology in a model that fits your needs at any given time.

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