subject: Laser Cartridge Q6000a Precautions, Safety Hazards And Health Risks [print this page] Shock Hazard Precautions Shock Hazard Precautions
Advanced short circuit protection implemented in laser printers of today, help protect against potential hazardous electrical shocks. Take note that the possibility exists for a high voltage build up of static electricity on various wires, rollers and metal contacts. Therefore, there should be no contact with these parts without proper safety equipment in order to avoid possible damage to the laser printer as well as potential harmful electric shock.
Cleaning Your Q6000A Toner Cartridge
Laser printer toner cartridge and printers should never be cleaned with a standard home vacuum cleaner. The toners ability to hold a static charge runs the risk of creating a small explosion if there is a static discharge into the dust of the vacuum bag. This is because toner particles are designed to possess electrostatic properties. When they rub or collide with other particles, these are known to develop stat-electric charges. You could possibly damage the vacuum cleaner or start a fire by vacuuming the toner. Toner particles are also so small that they can pass right through standard vacuum cleaner filters and blow through the motor exhaust back into the room. Laser toner particles will melt when heated through normal printer usage. The best way to clean printer surfaces is to use a damp cold cloth.
Other than a standard home vacuum cleaner being used when toner spills or leaks into a laser printer, a certified ESD-safe or Electrostatic Discharge Safe vacuum should be used. These toner friendly vacuums employ a high-efficiency or HEPA filter and an electrically conductive hose which allows safe toner clean-up. In order to clean up larger toner spills, a larger ESD vacuum should be employed.
A normal wash will most times remove toner from clothing. Cold water wash and rinse is recommended for washing clothes due to the toners low melting point. Warm or hot water will result in an unfortunate, permanent stain. Two cycle washing may be necessary to permanently remove the toner stain. Drying or ironing the clothes should be avoided unless you are absolutely certain that no toner remains on the clothing.
The Risks and Dangers of Ozone Exposure
Small amounts of nitrogen and oxygen are produced inside of the laser printer due to the high voltage corona discharge process. This forms ozone and nitrogen oxides. Most high yield photocopiers and laser printer use carbon filters to control these oxide pollutants. In spite of best efforts to filter the ozone gas from laser printer operation, not all gas is absorbed and broken down by carbon filters. Small laser printers do not typically come with any filtration system. Gases can build up to high levels if laser printers are installed in poorly ventilated areas.
Possible Respiratory Risks Using Your Q6000A Cartridge
Recent studies conducted in Australia have found that some laser printers may contribute to respiratory disease because of the sub-micrometer gas particles emitted. According to a study conducted in Japan in 2006, researchers found that laser printers produce styrene, xylenes and of course ozone. This same study also concluded that Ink-Jet printers also emit pentanol.
