HP to Researchers: Our Printers Are Safe

Fri Aug 3, 2007 12:49PM EDT

See Comments (78)

In the wake of the report, released earlier this week, that expresses grave concerns over the safety of laser printers and ultrafine particulate matter they might be releasing into the air, HP is striking back. Today I received the company's official (and, I have to say, scathing) response to the matter: "HP does not agree with [the study's] conclusion or some of the bold claims the authors have made."

HP doesn't really claim that its printers don't release ultrafine particles (though it's important to note that the study showed that many HP printers didn't release any emissions at all), saying that they are "consistently below recognized occupational exposure limits."

Rather, HP is taking issue with the notion that these emissions are dangerous. Here's what HP says: "There are no indications that ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions from laser printing systems are associated with special health risks. Currently, the nature and chemical composition of such particles—whether from a laser printer or from a toaster—cannot be accurately characterized by analytical technology."

HP agrees more testing is needed and is working with independent testing group Air Quality Sciences in the U.S. and a similar group in Germany. As well, the company says that HP products meet all current health and safety guidelines for office equipment.

So there you have it. HP says the printers are safe. Australia says they aren't. Who's right? Stay tuned, as I'm sure this argument is about to get really nasty...

You can find the entire text of HP's rebuttal here. 

Comments on HP to Researchers: Our Printers Are Safe

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  • 6 Posted by sharmansteckler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    Any report that alerts us of potential hazards to our health aer appretiated by most. If you are defending "the Company" or product in question, ask yourself this, is it so safe and you have no doubts that you would put it in the nursery next to your babies bed. I thought not. There ae many things out there that for the sake of a buck aer making us sick everyday. COme on people, be informed and be aware. Our planet is going to heck because of the big companies wanting the big bucks and we follow blindly. Be informed and be healthy. Thanks

  • 7 Posted by johnandtisha_john on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is this even for real... I was looking forward to owning an printer/scanner/copier/fax all in one .. Im an college studen three kids.... I dont even smoke... I hope that HP is telling the truth and not just trying to save their own skin...

  • 8 Posted by lizbuff93 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I remanufacture toners and that study is bogus obviously they haven't done their homework.If anyone is wondering,The"excess toner"doesn't go into the air it goes into a waste hopper where it is stored before either being thrown away by the consumer or emptied by a recharger.This toner doesn't stay "powder"for long as more pages are printed the toner compacts itself in the waste hopper until disturbed.The physical way that a toner works is that the drum has a magnetic charge which coats the whole drum.Then the laser writes to the drum.The words are burned to the paper and the wiper blade wipes the rest of the toner off of the drum.so therefore the is no way to get the toner airborne unless you take the toner apart and shake the open toner.

  • 9 Posted by lizbuff93 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I remanufacture toners and that study is bogus obviously they haven't done their homework.If anyone is wondering,The"excess toner"doesn't go into the air it goes into a waste hopper where it is stored before either being thrown away by the consumer or emptied by a recharger.This toner doesn't stay "powder"for long as more pages are printed the toner compacts itself in the waste hopper until disturbed.The physical way that a toner works is that the drum has a magnetic charge which coats the whole drum.Then the laser writes to the drum.The words are burned to the paper and the wiper blade wipes the rest of the toner off of the drum.so therefore the is no way to get the toner airborne unless you take the toner apart and shake the open toner.

  • 10 Posted by bigr107 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    I dont' think that "HP says the printers are safe". What they say is that they meet current regulations but qualifies their response by saying that currently these types of prticles cannot be characterized. A more correct interpretation, I think, is "HP says that they don't know if the printers are safe because there is no way to test this type of particulate but they are currently trying to find out." I guess "HP says the printers are safe" is easier to read even if it doesn't seem accurate.

  • 11 Posted by josie_erent on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    i don;'t believe a word from HP....after all we are talking about billions of dollars of revenue... Of course they are going to say.....their printers are not harmful...that is what the tobacco companies use to say......... Alot of computer...and technical products are chemicals that are toxic.........should be regulated concernig using materials that are toxic....

  • 12 Posted by henry111171 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    What is not dangerous to our health? Everything around us is. Do you want me give you a run down? We are living in a world full of dangers - air, food, water, etc. Robergat needs to wake up. Most companies worry ONLY about PROFIT margin. Do they really make our health the number one priority when developing a product? Toasters? Is HP trying to tell me that my toaster is more dangerous than laser printers? I will begin to toast my bread on a laser printer. Now how will it taste? At least it will be a safer toasted laser bread!! LOL What will be next? I know what they should study next....are body hairs dangerous for the environment? Let's all go bald, use no laser printers, no cars, no coal, buy nothing made in China, etc. Will that make us safer and healthier? Please let me know when someone finds a solution to all this profit-making-madness with no-concern-for-health!!

  • 13 Posted by nataliebabay on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    they need to fix it because im sure if they dont they eventually have losts of law suits and angry protesting people, and i do have to agree with trentbae.

  • 14 Posted by dvan_d77 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's important to note that a good majority of the printers (including the model in my office) are listed as non-emitters or as low emitters. I do think everyone needs to be aware of this and that more testing should be done. As for HP's social responsibility, they should look at the differences between their higher emitters and their non-emitters and consider some design changes.

  • 15 Posted by dvan_d77 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    lizzbuff93: I've already seen (on numerous occasions) toner (the print) come of paper, so your assertion that the words are burned to the paper is bogus.

  • 16 Posted by andreacockrum on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Paper cuts kill more people that toner. Come on people - this is garbage science. I can see it coming...$6 tax on every toner to pay for the imagined health risks of printers. Wait until politicians get ahold of this one.

  • 17 Posted by smillersmiller on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Christopher Null seems to be a bit alarmist in his comments, but sadly for what it's worth, I think that kind of reaction is almost required in order to push any kind of meaningful investigation into whether or not the printers are really harmful. And of course HP is going to do everything they can to downplay this. I'm glad they at least they don't completely rule out the possibility printers produce harmful emissions. It's time for the people to demand that the government take responsibility for ensuring these products are safe. Past experience has shown that industry, left to its own devices, won't do a darn thing.

  • 19 Posted by rdzombie on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    lizbuff93, are you retarded? its not magnetic, its an electrostatic charge transferred to the drum by the laser. words are not burned to the paper by the laser, the laser never even touches the paper. have you ever opened a used laser printer? the toner coats EVERY thing inside. even worse with large copy machines. you may refill toner cartridges but it obvious you have no clue how the printer works

  • 20 Posted by larry_monson_jr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would have to agree with Trendbaer when will we see the "Truth" Comercials aimed at HP and Konica. the Statent by HP does sound alot like the big tobacco in the 80's and 90's.

  • 22 Posted by n5jt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    Josie_erent-----you are totally correct. If I were some of these posters who are/will post glorious kudos to HP, I wouldn't be so quick to pat HP on the back. Like ALL big corporations, HP is looking at the bottom line----PROFIT and to heck with the consumer.

  • 23 Posted by andreacockrum on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a great idea! Let's create a whole new govt' entity to protect us! We already have the EPA but they only care about OUTDOOR stuff BUT they do have one of the BIGGEST buildings in Washington D.C. I'm sure they have deadly printers there!! Let's start a new branch called the OEPA (Office Environmental Protection Agency). The OEPA can spend billions protecting those of us inside offices as well as the poor victims stuck working at the EPA.

  • 24 Posted by atfdmike on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    What else can they claim publicly? Cigarette smoke, metal working fluids, lead paint all over again!

  • 25 Posted by westal1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    For those of you who are scared of getting cancer from that office printer....did you get in your car and drive to work this morning? You're putting WAY more on the line by, say, driving on a freeway. Or...maybe not. lol

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