NEW DEBATE ON CANCER RISK POSED BY LASER PRINTERS

[Anonymous]

http://www.just4business.eu/2008/10/new-debate-on-cancer-risk-posed-by-laser-printers/
New debate on cancer risk posed by laser printers
NOV
2008 Quite a stir was recently caused by a press statement from the
university of Rostock which said that scientists from this university
had proven the cancer risk posed by toner dust from laser printers. Now
the German Association for Information Management,Telecommunications
and New Media (BITKOM) in the name of manufacturers and traders of
laser printers vehemently rejected the statement by the Rostock
researchers. Prof. Dr. Ludwig Jonas from the electronic microscope
centre at the institute for pathology at the University of Rostock
wrote the following in the press statement: “The research results
undoubtedly showed that toner dust is another cause of lung cancer.”
For a few years now it has been observed in service technicians of
printer and copier manufacturers that these increasingly suffer from
lung problems which in come cases led to a work incapability of some
technicians. Some people developed an allergy against toner dust and
lost their voices as soon as they entered rooms with printers or
copying machines. Therefore, Professor Jonas in his statement warned:
“The health problems caused by contact with toner dust have to be taken
seriously. These may lead to invalidity and even death.”

BITKOM,
however, hold a completely different opinion: if laser printers and
copying machines are used in accordance with operating instructions,
there will be no health risks due to toner or particle emissions. The
same is said to apply to trained service personnel when servicing laser
printers and copying machines.According to EU directive 1999/45/EG
laser toner does not have to be marked as toxic or causing cancer.
Laser printer systems do not cause particle concentration in work
places to rise above the levels stipulated by German and US legislation
(AGW, US OSHA). Furthermore, laser printer systems do meet the
requirements by the Federal agency for the environment.Toner particles
are said to be non-toxic. According to BITKOM and several researchers
toner particles can not be compared to e.g. asbestos or cigarette
smoke. BITKOM therefore considers the statement by the Rostock
scientists an attempt to confuse consumers.

[Author]

November 7, 2008 at 10:16 AM