Laser printer cartridges

The following discussion took place on JANITORS and is reposted here
without the knowledge or consent of the authors.


    Date: 20 Nov 91
    Sender: College and University Housekeeping Information
                  <JANITORS [at] UKANVM__BITNET>
    From: Ralph Stuart <RMGTRBS [at] UVMADMIN__bitnet>
    Subject:      Re: Laser Printer Toner

    Laser printer toner's major constituent is carbon black, which is "a
    finely divided form of carbon made from the incomplete combustion of
    hydrocarbons." The TLV is 3.5 mg/m3, based on the need to prevent
    excessive dirtiness. This value applies only to commercial products,
    not to soots derived from combustion sources, which may contain coal
    tar pitch volatiles. It is the coal tar pitch volatiles which are
    considered carcinogens. The studies in the information I have found
    that carbon black is not carcinogenic. The information I am
    referring to is the documentation for TLV's put out by the American
    Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 5th edition.

    The bottom line is that toner should be handled to contain the mess
    of the carbon black, but there is no evidence for cancer concern
    from exposure to it.

    Ralph Stuart
    Chemical Safety Coordinator
    University of Vermont
    RMGTRBS [at] UVMADMIN__UVM__EDU



    Date: 21 Nov 91
    Sender: College and University Housekeeping Information
                  <JANITORS [at] UKANVM__BITNET>
    From: Phil Endacott <SUPERVISOR [at] SWEEP__FO__UKANS__EDU>
    Subject:      Toner Exposure from Laser Printers

    Here is another confirmation of Ralphs posted information.

                                            Phil---

    ------- Forwarded Message Follows -------

    Date: 21 Nov 91
    From: Chuck Cooper <ccc [at] MAILHOST__PP__PDX__EDU>
    Subject:    Toner Exposure from Laser Printers
    To:         PHIL ENDACOTT <ENDACOTT [at] kuhub__cc__ukans__edu>

    Reviewing my MSDS's for our HP laser Jet printers I found:

    Principle Components:

    Styrene acrylate copolymer     55-65% by weight
    Iron oxide                     30-40%

    Under health hazards:

    ACGIH TLV:   10 mg/m3  (nuisance dust)

    No carcinogenic potential.


    In the past, I have done some air sampling on dry copiers for
    styrene and found them to be negative. The  MSDS I have seems
    to be for Canon products as well. Based on this, I don't think
    their is any hazard from dry toners except to your dry cleaning
    bill.

    Back in 1982 there was a wet copier made by Xerox that used a
    dispersant that was found to be a teratogen. This model was
    quickly discontinued. Possibly this is where the idea that
    toners were carcinogenic originated.

    Chuck Cooper, EH&S, Portland State University: ccc [at] pp__pdx__edu

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                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 5:29
                Distributed: Tuesday, November 26, 1991
                        Message Id: cdl-5-29-014
                                  ***