Are the fumes from photocopiers and laser printers dangerous?
Photocopiers and laser printers produce ozone gas during operation. It is possible to smell ozone at a concentration of between 0.01 and 0.02 parts per million (ppm), well below the Australian Exposure Standard of 0.1 ppm. Ozone does not build up in the air. It breaks down into oxygen quickly after is it released into the air. At concentrations above the Exposure Standard limit ozone can cause eye and upper respiratory tract irritation, headache and temporary loss of the ability to smell. Investigations carried out by the WorkCover Authority of NSW indicate that modern photocopiers fitted with an ozone filter do not present any hazard to health, provided they are properly maintained. Preliminary investigations on laser printers indicate the same result.
