Notes

"Photocopier Sickness" - How Photocopiers Can Affect Health
It's a little known fact that photocopiers can affect health. The increasingly sleek plastic exteriors and the ever-expanding degree of functionality on photocopiers, hide for many what is actually a potentially risky, temperature chemical process occurring whenever a page is printed. The electrostatic reactions which are in the heart of what a photocopier does, produce ozone, a type of oxygen molecule known to be bad for human health. Toners may contain chemicals such as for example carbon black which are also hazardous and toner dust, whatever its composition, could be a respiratory irritant and is generally classified as a 'nuisance' substance. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) may also be emitted in the photocopying process, contact with that is harmful. But modern photocopiers are by no means a 'death trap'. With the right equipment, maintenance and adequate ventilation, photocopiers shouldn't pose any significant health risks. With website said, the safety of a photocopier should never be seen as a taken-for-granted fact. If devices are left unmonitored, misplaced or poorly maintained, they can pose a health risk, bellying the image many of us have of these as unshakeable office workhorses. This short article aims to outline the potential health risks of photocopiers and what can be carried out to keep your workplace environment as safe as you possibly can.

Ozone

Ozone is a naturally occurring gas produced by the rays of the sun and by lighting. In basic scientific terms, it really is an oxygen molecule made up of three oxygen atoms - O3. It really is within the air at typical concentrations of between 0.002 and 0.05 parts per million (ppm). Ozone can be made by many devices which involve electrostatic processes, such as in the motors of household hoovers or in the processes that take place on the drums of many photocopiers. Ozone decomposes relatively quickly into oxygen, given that it decomposes by half in around five minutes in an office environment. Most countries do impose regulations for occupational exposure to hazardous substances and in Britain the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for ozone is 0.2 ppm.

But even at levels like these and notwithstanding the relatively low half-life of ozone, contact with the gas, even at apparently safe OEL levels can have some ill effects. Ozone can irritate the eyes nose and throat, even at concentrations of half the OEL. Significantly though, a Danish study quite a few years ago showed that ozone levels in the workplace environment could be increased if devices weren't correctly maintained (due to increased electrostatic 'sparking') or were in high humidity environments and its harmful effects on health (mice were used in the tests) were more pronounced when ozone would be in contact with certain forms of furnishings. At higher concentrations of between 1 and 2 ppm, ozone can cause quite severe headaches, cheat pains and also extreme fatigue.

When buying a photocopier, it's advisable to choose a device from the leading, reputable manufacturer and ensure you choose a respected supplier when it comes to servicing and maintenance. Users should also consult the Product Safety Data Sheets (PSDS) for the photocopier they buy which provide full information of associated risks, siting guidelines and emissions levels. Generally, photocopiers should be placed in well-ventilated areas where exhausts do not pass over workers and when put into combination with other devices, an environmental assessment could be necessary to ensure emissions do not exceed safe levels. Modern do feature air filters and ventilation systems which can significantly reduce ozone emissions well below the OEL. Some photocopiers now also feature 'direct charge', which charge the photocopier drum directly and avoid the high voltage air exchange which creates ozone. On photocopiers with higher output speeds it isn't always possible to hire 'direct charge' technology, so manufacturers will most likely supply devices with higher grade 'catalytic' filters rather than the more standard charcoal filters which are usually used.

Regular servicing of photocopiers and photocopier filter changes means that internal dust levels usually do not increase electrostatic activity and bring about extra ozone emissions. Again, good ventilation and top quality filters should limit this.

Toner

Toner could be released from photocopier vents and where equipment is poorly maintained, it can back up from the waste compartment and you will be emitted from a photocopier in greater amounts. Most toners found in photocopiers today contain few hazardous substances. All substances used in Canon photocopiers toners for instance, have already been assured negative in the Ames test, a screening test for carcinogenicity. But toners do often contain amounts of up to 7% carbon black, regarded as a nuisance dust that may irritate the skin and airways. If heated in a low oxygen atmosphere, carbon monoxide could be produced from carbon black that may cause headaches, drowsiness, faintness and increased pulse rates. Again regular maintenance of photocopiers and good ventilation seems to be key.

Other Chemicals

Similar to ozone in its origins and effects, nitrogen oxide is produced when there is a high voltage discharge in the air. When it comes to its effects on health, again they are almost identical to carbon monoxide at the lower end of the spectrum causing headaches and an increased pulse rate.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)

During the high temperature fixing process and the charging of materials on the photocopier drum, certain volatile organic compounds could be released. Whilst on modern photocopiers drum coating materials have also been tested for carcinogenicity and found negative on the Ames test, some coatings and their emissions can be an irritant. VOC emissions from older photocopiers where safety standards weren't typically so high, have been recognized to include carcinogens such as decane, benzene among others compounds such as for example trichloroethane, isocoate, toluene and xylene that may also cause respiratory problems, skin irritations and fatigue. Again, good ventilation, regular photocopier maintenance and high quality filtration systems, where available, are necessary.

While well-maintained, up-to-date photocopiers shouldn't pose health threats when placed correctly, studies have shown that poor photocopier maintenance, high humidity can push ozone levels in particular on some photocopiers to potentially hazardous levels. That is equally true for toner dust emissions and nitrogen oxide where poor maintenance can lead to greater than normal discharges. Photocopier safety in recent years has come on a long way. Relatively low output photocopiers have already been fitted with direct charge units which practically eliminate ozone gas emissions. Ozone producing photocopiers have been equipped with a higher standard of filtration units that may significantly cut ozone output along with other emissions. Efforts to lessen carcinogens mean that now virtually all photocopiers feature Ames-negative drum photo-chemicals, so this is now much less of a concern as well.

But for all of the considerable value of these advances safely standards, all that technology could be effectively undermined when care and attention lapses. No matter how advanced the safety features on photocopiers becomes, photocopier buyers/users must always remain aware of the potential safety risks. Placement, ventilation and regular maintenance are absolutely key and in larger deployments or placement in more confined poorly ventilated areas, professional environmental assessments could be advisable.

For more info on photocopier safety, contact any accredited Canon Business Solution Partner.

Clive Gilbert is really a leading document imaging technology consultant and writer, covering all the latest developments in neuro-scientific photocopiers.
Homepage: https://www.mimimika.com/causes-and-treatment-of-anxiety/