Laser printers as dangerous as cigarettes

The ubiquitous printer in your office is a bigger source of lung disease than a puff of tobacco smoke. According to air quality tests by Australian scientists, almost 30 per cent of laser printers emit potentially dangerous levels of tiny toner-like material into the air, news agencies reported yesterday. The investigation of the dozens of printers found the ultra-fine particles are capable of infiltrating the lungs and causing lasting damage on the scale of inhaled cigarette smoke. "Ultra-fine particles are of most concern because they can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can pose a significant health threat," researcher Professor Lidia Morawska, from the Queensland University of Technology, was quoted as saying by agencies. The ailments could range from cardiovascular problems to cancer.

Gulf News Report Published: July 31, 2007, 23:12