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Photocopiers of
current technology are "dry printing" copiers that use dry toners. They
operate by generating an image of the original on a charged photoreceptor.
Toner is applied to the image and held by electrostatic attraction before
being transferred to the copy paper and permanently fixed by heat and
pressure.
Inquiries have been
received regarding the possible adverse health effects resulting from
the use of photocopying machines. Potential hazards that could be associated
with the use of photocopiers are:
None of these potential
hazards have been found to be significant with the current technology
dry photocopiers:
- OZONE
levels greater than the occupational air exposure standard of 0.1
ppm (peak) [1] are rarely attained in the air near photocopiers [2].
Ozone has an odour described as pungent of "thunderstorm-ish" and
an odour threshold ranging between 0.01-0.04 ppm [3]. It is a reactive,
irritant and unstable gas with a half-life of ( 6 min in the office
environment [2]. In evaluations of ozone levels from photocopiers
on campus, the OHS Unit found ozone levels at the paper outlet ranging
from 0.01-0.05 ppm. Note that control of ozone emissions is assisted
by regular servicing of the photocopier (e.g. charging electrodes,
activated carbon filters, etc.)
- UV
RADIATION that may be generated in the photocopy process is absorbed
by the glass platen [4] on which the original is placed, so the operator
will not be exposed to UV radiation during normal photocopy operations.
INTENSE LIGHT used in photocopying may cause eye irritation and after-imaging,
if viewed directly [2]. The photocopier cover should routinely be
closed before copying or, if not practicable for an unusual job, the
operator should avert their eyes from the light source.
- NOISE
& HEAT. Both high speed copiers and copiers used with collating
may have the potential to be noisy and to generate detectable heat.
Noise and heat levels would be of an annoyance quality only and not
be of occupational health significance. In evaluations of noise emissions
from photocopiers on campus, the OHS Unit found that maximum noise
levels at the surface of the photocopiers ranged from 63-68 dBA.
- TONER
DUST does not have the potential to be an occupational health
problem with reasonably modern machines because toner replacement
is achieved by a containerized system. Even for toner replacement
achieved by a non-containerized system, exposure to toners containing
10% carbon black has been found to be well below the exposure standard
of 10 mg/m3 (time weighted average) [2]. Toners normally comprise
( 10% carbon black dispersed in a heat sensitive organic resin of
non-respirable particle size in the range ( 10-15(m. Carbon
blacks currently used in photocopy toners have been found to be free
of trace impurities of mutagenic activity [2].
The following work
practices are recommended, whenever possible, for use with photocopiers:
- The photocopier
should be placed in a dedicated room or a large area, both with adequate
ventilation. A dilution ventilation rate of 6 room air changes per
hour is recommended [2].
- If photocopiers
are placed in peopled areas, careful consideration should be given
to their location in relation to employee work areas to prevent unnecessary
stress from the noise, light and heat of the machines.
- Photocopying
should be routinely done with the cover down.
- If manual toner
transfer is necessary, an optimum system of transfer should be developed
and used to minimize the chance of spillage or creating airborne toner.
Worksafe Australia
Draft Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational
Environment
Worksafe Australia, Sydney, August 1988
NSW Department of
Industrial Relations and Employment
Bulletin 052686/1: Photocopiers and Workplace Health & Safety
Division of Occupational Health, Sydney, June 1988
American Industrial
Hygiene Association
Odour Thresholds for Chemicals with Established Occupational Health
standards
AIHA, Akron OH, 1989
The Australian National
University
OHS Unit Bulletin 9: UV Exposure to Outdoor Workers from the Sun
OHS Information Manual, Section 4.4.9, 1990
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