Weatherization Department
The Friday Report Friday February 14,1997
FromWright Energy's
Weatherization Network Since 1984
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Mike@NationalGuild.com
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Watch for major update!
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Correction:
Last week we identified Arkansas as participating in Freddie Macs ENERGY EFFICIENT MORTGAGE pilot program. Alaska is participating not Arkansas.
Thanks to Jay Luboff, Colorado Energy Conservation for the correct info.
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Photocopier, Laser Printer Toner Dust Linked To Lung
Disease
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EPA Research Project
Building-related illnesses have been associated with carpeting, furnishings, faulty HVAC systems and smoking. Now, researchers are looking at another possible cause of respiratory illness -toner dust emissions from dry-process photocopiers and laser printers.
In a recent letter to the editors of the British medical journal, Lancet (September 1996), Christine Armbruster of the Vienna Pulmologisches Zentrum in Austria, reported the case of a 39-year-old nonsmoking newspaper
worker, whose lungs were X-rayed and then biopsied. The procedure revealed remnants of photocopier and/or laser printer toner dust. The Case Study
The worker had been employed for 18 months by a newspaper agency as a specialist in computer-based information retrieval. His only symptoms were a dry cough and shortness of breath. Biopsy of his lungs and lymph nodes showed tissue lumps-or granulomas-and material which, on analysis, proved to be silicon, iron, copper and some aluminum. These are elements commonly used in toner dust.
Known Variables
A wide variety of occupational lung diseases, ranging from asthma to coal miner's "black lung" disease, are known to be caused by breathing airborne metal or mineral dusts. When metal dusts are inhaled, it can build up in the lungs and lymph nodes. The lung and lymph tissue may react by developing small lumps, or granulomas. In early stages of disease, the granulomas may have no effect on lung or lymph system function.
However, with prolonged exposure, they can enlarge, multiply, and eventually grow together, causing lung fibrosis. Photocopier VOCs
Photocopiers emit hydrocarbons, ozone, and volatile organic compounds, at levels which can remain constant or even increase over time. Little research has been conducted, however, on particulate emissions or their health effects on office workers.
Researchers at EPA's Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina have been working with Underwriters Laboratories and industry to identify, evaluate and prevent indoor air emissions from office equipment.
According to EPA officials, no standard protocol for measuring emissions has been developed, so results from different studies are not comparable. Past studies have tended to concentrate on emissions exceeding occupational limits, but have not adequately identified emissions at the levels found in typical office environments.
EPA is presently designing a test method for measuring indoor air emissions from all types of office machines. According to environmental engineer Kelly Leovic of EPA's Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division, researchers have developed a large chamber test method for measuring emissions.
Her group will be testing a number of mid-range dry-process photocopiers to identify the causes of indoor air emissions, including toner dust particulates, and help industry develop pollution prevention strategies to reduce the output of these machines.
They will present their findings at a joint symposium conducted by EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory and the Air & Waste Management Association next July. Job-Related Lung Disease.
In separate findings, the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports that lung diseases are some of the most common job-related disorders in the United States today.
It recommends that in cases where workers are at risk of dust inhalation, precautions such as proper ventilation, mask filtration, and enclosure of dusty areas should be taken.
Architects and office managers should plan office space so that machines are located in well-ventilated rooms. When large numbers of photocopiers and laser printers are in use, some design and ventilation experts recommend clustering them in isolated areas with separate ventilation systems.
From IAQ Publications, Inc. 1997 For subscription information call (800) 394-0115.
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