Indoor Pollution in Work Office: VOCs, Formaldehyde and Ozone by Printer

Abstract

In recent years proof of "indoor air quality", designed to protect and improve the health and safety of workers, was a central strategy in the prevention of many companies. The man creates with the environment in which he lives and works a continuous gas exchange through breathing; this makes the respiratory system main entrance of air pollutants. The indoor pollutants are numerous and originate from different sources. Their concentration may vary over time and depends on the nature of the source, on ventilation, habits and activities carried out by the occupants in the areas concerned. It is well known that photocopiers and laser printers are equipment that emit several chemicals (ozone, solvents, toner dust) both to release the materials used for their operation (toner, ink, paper) and then to the special printing technology used. During the printing and photocopying processes occurring chemical and physical processes complex, during which the components of toner and paper will react under the influence of light and high temperatures. More recently, there have been a growing number of articles as a result of indoor air pollution. They have become more and more significant; probably because of increasing of the concentrations of harmful substances in the confined environment. Particular attention has been given to the emission of harmful substances from electronic equipment and printing that are increasingly present in living and working place. This work was the main objective the emission of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and ozone from laser printing devices and consequently the estimation of elimination of same substances through a paper filters which operate through a mechanism of filtration surface with interstitial and penetration of particles into matrix filter on agglomeration, they also enclose type sandwich a layer of activated carbon.

Nanoparticle exposures from nano-enabled toner-based printing equipment and human health: state of science and future research needs

“…Soon after, Barrero-Moreno et al (2008) measured the gaseous pollutants emitted in a chamber and found the released compounds included styrene, xylenes, ethylbenzene, toluene and particularly, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diisobutyl succinonitrile encompassed up to 90% of the VOC identified in the study. Later, Barrese et al (2014) documented O 3 at levels of 45 ppb in an office-sized room and a notable increase in VOC.…”

Indoor gaseous air pollutants determinants in office buildings—The OFFICAIR project

“…In this regard, previous studies indicated that formaldehyde, several VOCs, and ozone were emitted during the operation of photocopiers and laser printers. Previous studies showed that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde can be emitted by photocopy machines with substantial emission rates . In addition, considering that laser printers and photocopiers are the major indoor sources of ozone in office environments .…”

A hand-portable digital linear ion trap mass spectrometer

“…[1][2][3][4] VOCs are routinely emitted into atmospheric environment from a variety of sources, including combustion processes, industrial processes, traffic exhaust, the emissions from vegetation and animals, and chemicals etc. From the point of view of environmental health and safety, the monitoring and controlling of VOC emissions has become a major current concern with rapid modernization.…”