Move over cigarette smoking - there’s another health hazard out there and it’s not what you might expect. According to the American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science and Technology Journal, some laser printers used in home and office environments can be hazardous to your health. A study of 62 different laser printers found 17 of them as “high particle emitters” which means these printers release a good deal of ultra-fine toner powder into the air. One of the printers even released ultra-fine toner particles at a rate comparable with cigarette smoking!

So what can toner particles do to you? They can affect human health in several different ways depending on the material inhaled and the quantity inhaled but typically, toner particles can cause respiratory irritation or more severe conditions including cardiovascular problems or even cancer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream.”

The high emitter list includes a Toshiba laser printer, and many models from HP.

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