Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Printer Makers Deny Printers Cause Cancer

Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest printer maker has rubbished aside claims by Australian scientists that office laser printers emit fine particles that can cause cancer once it enters lungs...

Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest printer maker has rubbished aside claims by Australian scientists that office laser printers emit fine particles that can cause cancer once it enters lungs.

Australian scientists yesterday said laser printers emit fine particles that can cause cancer in the long run. The Australian scientists have said twelve HP printers were highest emitters, however HP said more testing in the area was needed.

"After a preliminary review of the Queensland University of Technology [QUT] research on particle emission characteristics of office printers, HP does not agree with its conclusion or some of the bold claims the authors have made recently in press reports," HP said.

The university's report, led by Professor Lidia Morawska, concluded some printers released almost as many ultra-fine particles as a cigarette, and inhaling such particles could cause respiratory irritation, cardiovascular problems and even cancer.

But HP said it stood by the safety of its products, that testing of ultra-fine particles was still "a very new scientific discipline" and that there were "no indications that ultra-fine particle emissions from laser printing systems are associated with special health risks".