Laser printers emit worrisome dust, study finds

Office workers may be breathing in dangerous dust emitted from laser printers, finds a disturbing new study from Australian researchers.

The researchers found that certain printers release tiny particles into the air that could pose "a significant health threat" when inhaled into their lungs.

The researchers didn't analyze the chemical makeup of the particles but think that they come from the toner, the ultrafine powder used in laser printers instead of ink.

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Since the researchers don't know what chemicals lie in the printer dust, the health effects of breathing it in are unclear. But they could range from respiratory irritation to more severe illnesses, such as cancer, Morawska says.

As a result of the study, her team is calling on governments to consider regulating emission levels from laser printers.

Original Article

So let me get this straight, they have no idea what these partcles are, but they are somehow concluding that they are dangerous and that the government needs to regulate emissions from laser printers based on this?

Even if the stuff is dangerous. it seems to me that we should at least get our facts straight and figure out exactly what this stuff is and what the risks are before getting ourselves all excited about it.