Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Asthma complications from toner dust?

Options
  • 28-10-2010 7:18pm
    #1
    joelietz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭


    I recently had breakthrough asthma attacks that my emergency inhaler was not giving me full relief of.

    There was a lot of construction at the head office so I made the call to move to my home office.

    I noticed an immediate improvement with my home office but I did notice that days spent in my home office were worse than days where I'd be home but not working in the office.

    I spoke to my specialist about it and while stress can be a factor he had me look for triggers and some how I overlooked the printer sitting beside my PC.

    It wasn't until I had a problem sorting out phone lines that I found my trigger. During my phone line woes I switched over to an internet fax service to catch all the faxes coming in from the offices. Once that printer stopped spitting out toner dust 10 times a morning my asthma came back down to manageable levels!

    One fellow I talked to said it could be EMR or other factors, but nothing he went on about seemed as obvious as toner dust and I'm wondering what others think?

    Anyone with asthma ever switch between laser/inkjet and notice a change in symptoms?


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    mlindsay215
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 586 ✭✭✭mlindsay215


    Hello,

    According to recent research, some laser printers emit submicrometer particles which have been associated in other environmental studies with respiratory diseases. A study at the University of Rostock in Germany is reported to have found that the microscopic particles in toners that do irriate the bronchi in the lungs affecting asthma sufferers.

    I cannot advise on wether or not changing ink will help you're symptoms but even at that it would be worth a try.

    As I have been "told off" several times for giving respiratory advice I will only advise that you consult you're GP and request a preventative inhaler such as Bricanyl, and combine it with Symbicort to strengthen you're lungs in the workplace.

    If you have any queries please email me.

    Thanks,

    Mark L.


Advertisement