Chances are, you probably don’t remember the name Richard Laymer, but you’ll remember the laughs. Laymer, played by Rob Schneider, was the “Richmeister” Saturday Night Live character that greeted everyone as they came to use the nearby photocopier. Ever happy to see people, he endlessly riffed on variations of their name ““ including celebrities that stopped by. (“Sting! Stiiiing! Der Stinglehoffer! Makin’ copies! Sting-a-ling-a-ling-a-ding-dong!”)
As it happens, there may have been a reason for the Richmeister’s behavior: He may have been suffering from chronic conditions brought on by hours of exposure to the photocopier.
Yes, that’s right. Copy machines are ubiquitous in the office setting. Nearly all offices have them. Some couldn’t function without them. But they also could be making you or your coworkers sick, especially if there are already pre-existing medical conditions. Improperly maintained, copy machines can pump out ozone into an office, or flood the surrounding area with microfine toner particles, both of which are health hazards.
Ozone
A colorless gas with a distinctive odor, ozone is created by photocopiers to get ink to cling to paper. Although it occurs naturally in the atmosphere, it can be harmful if inhaled in larger amounts. In a copier properly maintained, that’s not normally a problem. A malfunctioning machine can pump out elevated levels of ozone, however, which could lead to headaches, eye and breathing problems. It’s worse for those with underlying respiratory conditions like asthma who are more sensitive to irritants.
In extreme cases ““ a malfunctioning machine in a small, confined area ““ it could even less to mild cases of oxygen deprivation.
Toner dust
Another hazard related to photocopiers is the toner it uses to produce copies. In sufficient quantities, toner dust can produce respiratory problems, coughing and sneezing. Again, for coworkers with asthma or other conditions like bronchitis, the effects can be heightened.
The most common cause for breathing in the dust is spills, but if your machine is not working well it could also be leaking toner inside. Because photocopiers usually produce high heat, they also employ ventilation systems and fans, which can pick up that dust and spew it around the machine.
The particles are so fine, you may not even realize there is a problem until the effects start taking their toll.
Other hazards
Ozone and toner mishaps aren’t the only possible hazards, though. There is also selenium poisoning. Selenium is used as a photoconductive coating on the copier’s drum. Overheating and age can cause it to deteriorate, and the dust can find itself pumped into the surrounding air like toner dust. Overexposure can lead to unexplained fatigue and concentration issues, as well as respiratory and eye irritation.
Carbon monoxide gas can also be produced by faulty copiers, or machines placed where it doesn’t have adequate ventilation. It would be a rare case that could rise to very harmful levels, but respiratory problems could become worse with exposure.
Quick fix
The good news is that many of these problems can be avoided with regular machine maintenance. Most offices rent their machines from companies that offer regular checkups, so the key is to make sure a technician is visiting regularly. Make sure they replace the machine’s built-in ozone filter regularly.
If and when toner spills happen, make sure to vacuum up the dust. Don’t sweep it.
Also, make sure the machine isn’t in a confined area, or its exhaust doesn’t blow straight into anyone’s workspace.
Photocopiers are great machines. How could we live without them? Just make sure they’re not making you sick, too.
