7 August 2007 Page 1 High degree of safety in toner-based printer and copier systems Low particle emissions considerably below applicable occupational exposure limits Total emissions from laser printer and copier systems do not pose a particular health risk BITKOM, the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media e.v., represents over 1,000 companies, of which 850 are full members with combined revenues of 120 billion and approximately 700,000 employees. Members include electrical equipment manufacturers, software, IT and telecommunications service providers, and content providers. The health and safety of users are of the utmost importance to the original equipment manufacturers associated with BITKOM. When in development, electrophotographic printer and copier systems undergo extensive particulate emission testing and are adapted to comply with internationally applicable occupational exposure limits and indicative exposure limits for indoor environments. Even toner and potential material emissions from equipment are brought consistently in line with internationally applicable health and safety standards. If used properly, there is no evidence that the equipment poses a particular risk to health; this has been borne out by numerous scientific studies and experience of real-life usage. For users wanting more detailed information following recent news reports and research findings on the safety of laser printer systems, BITKOM collects currently relevant standards, generally accepted guidelines and scientific expertise. Bundesverband Informationswirtschaft, Telekommunikation und neue Medien e.v. Albrechtstraße 10 10117 Berlin +49. 30. 27576-0 Fax +49. 30. 27576-400 bitkom@bitkom.org www.bitkom.org Contact person Philipp Karch Area manager Environment and sustainability +49. 30. 27576-231 Fax +49. 30. 27576-400 p.karch@bitkom.org President Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. August-Wilhelm Scheer CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder Low particle emissions are considerably below occupational exposure limits When printer and copier systems are developed by manufacturers belonging to BITKOM they undergo rigorous testing in test chambers under extreme operating conditions to measure potential particulate emissions. The established, generally accepted gravimetric test procedures used in the test chambers (ECMA-328 (1), RAL- UZ 62/85/114 or RAL-UZ 122) have shown the total volume of particles emitted to be extremely low. Particulate concentrations are considerably below the German occupational exposure limits (AGW) (2) and emission limits of the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) (3). Assessments also take into account technical emission
Page 2 standards, such as those used for the Blue Angel certification procedure (4). Furthermore, experts from Germany s Federal Government agree that particulate emissions have proven to be relatively low. (5) Consequently, if the equipment is used properly, no particular health risk is to be expected from particulate emissions. Preventive research on ultrafine particles Toner is comprised of solid particles with an average diameter of 5-10 µm, putting it in the fine particle category (PM 10, particles < 10 µm). Recent measurements taken by Germany s Federal Environment Agency (UBA) confirm that toner particles and paper particles are released in only very small quantities. (6) Toner does not comprise ultrafine particles (UFP, < 0.1 µm). UFPs, also known as nanoparticles, often also occur in a fluid state. Using newer measurement methods, the UBA found UFPs for the first time amongst the typically very low total particle quantities. The UBA is unable to draw any conclusions as to the chemical composition or potential health risks of the UFPs at the present time. (6) According to results of the research, the UFP concentrations detected are equivalent to those found in daily domestic activities such as candle burning or cooking. (7) Tests by the Fraunhofer Wilhelm-Klauditz Institute (WKI) indicate that these particles are not solid, but instead are likely to be condensation products; in other words, small droplets created by the thermal printing process which are recorded as particles by the particle counting method. (8) Recent indoor air tests performed in offices in the Netherlands have concluded that UFP emissions measured under real usage conditions do not stem from printing or photocopying. (9) To date, the UBA has not included UFP exposure in the Blue Angel certification criteria since reliable measurement standards have yet to be defined. More research is needed in order to compile a solid pool of data for the reproducible measurement and assessment of laser printer contributions to UFP concentrations in indoor air. This is confirmed by experts from the WKI in response to recent laser printer measurements taken in offices in Australia. Experts claim that the introduction of standardised test procedures is crucial to enable reliable measurements of UFP emissions from printers. The type, chemical composition and possible origins of UFPs require clarification before conclusions can be drawn about potential effects on health. In the future, related studies should reflect a representative distribution of laser printers on the market. (10) Taking all this into account, it is a mystery as to how the comparison with cigarette smoke, which is highly misleading, even came to be reported in the media. BITKOM is highly critical of this example, deeming it inaccurate and counterproductive. As regards the relatively new subject matter of UFPs, consumers need to be given information based on scientific fact that they can rely on. In view of this, BITKOM is continuing to pursue related research in the area in association with the WKI.
Page 3 Low material emissions To ensure a high degree of user safety, manufacturers belonging to BITKOM are also investigating potential material emission releases. Measurements are performed under extreme operating conditions in special test chambers whilst the equipment is still undergoing development. The measurements are based on international standard ECMA-328 (1) and the UBA-based Blue Angel measurement criteria for printers, multifunctionals and copiers (RAL-UZ 62/85/114 and RAL-UZ 122). These measurements have shown that, when used properly, material emissions (such as ozone or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) from equipment, are below German occupational exposure limits (AGW) (2), the binding occupational exposure limits of the EU (11) and OSHA exposure limits (3). Furthermore, the emission values also comply with the UBA s guideline TVOC values (12), internationally accepted WHO regulations for indoor environments (13) and the stringent inhalation exposure guidelines from the US Environmental Exposure Agency (EPA) (14). If used as intended, therefore, no particular health risks are to be expected from material emissions from laser printers and copiers during proper use. Toner quality tested for safety Toner from original equipment manufacturers belonging to BITKOM is tested and classified in accordance with EU criteria governing preparations (supplementing Directive 1999/45/EC). To ensure that products are of a consistently high quality, toner and printer cartridges are manufactured in accordance with international standards such as ISO 9001:2000 (Quality Management Systems) and ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management Systems). Wide scope for safety under real usage conditions Under careful consideration of toners, material emissions and particle emissions, BITKOM has found no scientific evidence that toner-based printing systems pose a health risk if used properly. To supplement these laboratory-based and regulatory findings, scientific studies have shown a considerably wider scope for safety under real working conditions, such as in offices. The UBA has also corroborated this observation with regard to UFPs: when measuring UFPs in an office environment, particle concentrations during printing were found to be lower than in test chamber measurements (owing to reduction effects, air ventilation etc). (6) Independent experts attest to high degree of user safety To ensure that printers and copier systems offer a high degree of user safety, BITKOM maintains a constant dialogue with independent scientists and institutions such as the UBA, the responsible accident prevention and insurance associations, and environmental hygiene experts. All of these attest to the safety of the equipment when
Page 4 operated properly, including under real usage conditions. For instance, a study of workplace emissions from copiers and printers that was commissioned by the Thuringian Ministry for Health, Family and Social Affairs (TMSFG) found no significant particulate emissions from this equipment, and hence no risk to health. (15) The VBG, Germany s statutory accident insurer for the administrative sector, which regularly tests office equipment emissions, also found no evidence of an elevated health risk from laser printer emissions or toner particles. (16) (17) Experts from Germany s Federal Government have found no evidence of any particular health risk under real-life conditions for private use either. (5) Preliminary findings from clinical trials and real indoor measurements taken as part of a study into the safety of laser printing systems commissioned by the BfR, Germany s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, have indicated no specific health-related effects with regard to toner (18) (19) emissions. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Standard measurement procedure ECMA-328 is used to measure chemical emissions from electronic equipment for private and professional use, including volatile organic compounds, ozone and particulate matter. AGW (Arbeitsplatzgrenzwerte occupational exposure limits) are defined in Germany s Gefahrstoffverordnung (Hazardous Substances Ordinance) and are set down by the AGS (Ausschuss für Gefahrstoffe German Hazardous Substances Committee) in the Technischen Regeln für Gefahrstoffe (Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances) (cf. TRGS 900, as supplemented 2006). US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), permissible exposure limits (PELs-TWA), 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1/Z-2, 2006. The revised Blue Angel criteria for printers (RAL-UZ 85) and MFPs (RAL-UZ 114) from the UBA have been in force since 2004. Since January 2007, these have been replaced by RAL-UZ 122 (printers, copiers, MFPs). Bundestag (Lower House of German Parliament), Response from Federal Government, paper 16/4016, 2007. Umweltbundesamt (UBA - Germany s Federal Environment Agency), Bake/Moriske, February 2006. Occup Environ Med 58, Dennekamp et al., 2001. Proceedings of Healthy Buildings 2006 Vol. 2, Wensing et al., 2006. Tijdschrift voor toegepaste Arbowetenschap 4, Zaat et al., 2006. (10) Fraunhofer Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (FhG WKI), Report, Wensing/Uhde, 1 August 2007. (11) European Commission, indicative occupational exposure limits and binding occupational exposure limits (IOELs/BOELs). (12) Guideline indoor air values, Innenraumlufthygiene-Kommission (Commission on Indoor Air Quality), UBA, 2005. (13) World Health Organisation (WHO), 2000. (14) US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Reference Concentration (RfC). (15) Landesministerium für Soziales, Familie und Gesundheit, Thüringen (TMSFG), (Thuringian Ministry for Health, Family and Social Affairs), February 2001. (16) Gefahrstoffe Reinhaltung der Luft (Hazardous Substances, Keeping the Air Clean), no. 7/8, Smola et al., 2002. (17) BGIA (BG-Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)/VBG (Statutory Accident Insurer for the Administrative Sector), Laserdrucker sicher betreiben (Safe operation of laser printers), 2006.
Page 5 (18) Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR - Germany s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment), BfR report dated 21 February 2007. (19) Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR - Germany s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment), BfR report dated 25 January 2007.