If you are obsessed with computers, you are making friends with the toxic Ozone. Yes, it is the same Ozone, which protects the Earth from dangerous outer space radiation.

Laser printers are essentially responsible for the generation of Ozone. A laser printer generates several electrical charges. In a laser printer the light source is, not surprisingly, a laser. The light creates an electrostatic image of the page on to a charged photoreceptor, which in turn attracts toner in the shape of an electrostatic charge. These electrostatic charges generated in laser printers give rise to Ozone, turning your workplace into a hazardous area!

However, the question that arises is what concentration of Ozone—which is also found in nature— could prove to be a health risk?

Ozone arising out of printers irritates the mucous membrane of the nose, eyes and throat. Concentrations just over 1 ppm can cause headaches, decreased pulse rate and blood pressure, lacrimation, dermatitis, and irritation of the eye, nose and respiratory system. Increasing concentrations cause increasing severity of symptoms, ultimately resulting in pulmonary edema and chronic respiratory disease.

Unfortunately, people who suffer from asthma, respiratory allergies, or chemical sensitivity can experience symptoms at much lower concentrations than other people do. In the US, research on animals has shown that exposure to Ozone may produce cancer.

Many of the later models of laser printers are trying to filter out the Ozone, but it still remains a major cause for concern. These printers make use of Ozone filters as well as the so-claimed optimised printing techniques to reduce the Ozone content being generated. Unfortunately, most offices use older models of laser printers, which can be very harmful.