Volker Mersch Sundermann, Richard Gminski, Tao Tang, Zoe Deutsch, Tim Gotting, Claudia Schultz, Winfried Ebner and Manuel Garcia-Kaufer
University of Freiburg, Germany
Accepted Abstracts: J Environ Anal Toxicol
Background & Aim: Laser printers release aerosols into the environment including solid, liquid and gaseous compounds. The side effects possibly caused by these aerosols are having come under scrutiny. To investigate clinical effects and gene expression profiles we conducted a controlled human exposure study with laser printer emissions in an office test room. Methodology: 80 healthy volunteers were exposed to laser printer emissions in 3 hour experiments under controlled conditions in an 80 m³ office test room over three consecutive days. Lung functions and FeNO and inflammatory blood parameters were examined before and after exposure. Microarray experiments were conducted with peripheral venous blood using a whole genome gene chip. Results: Mean Sub Micrometer Particle (SMP) concentration during printing activities in the test room reached 15379±2799 P/cm³ (background: 1904±540 P/cm³). Lung function and blood parameters for inflammation (ECP, hsCRP) as well as FeNO showed no differences before and after exposure. The volunteers experienced temporary symptoms, such as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract, coughing, headache and runny nose. We screened a total of 254 differentially expressed genes, of which 37 (15%) were down-regulated and 217 (85%) were up-regulated. Of the 217 up-regulated genes, 169 (78%) were directly related to an individualâ??s immune regulation or response. Conclusion: Laser printers emit SMPs particles during printing activity. The aerosols can induce irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract in the volunteers, but we cannot derive any severe acute dangerous health effects from the results of this study. The microarray study conducted here showed changes in terms of inflammation and immunological reactions in volunteers after exposure. Our results recommend that office workers should avoid laser printer emissions. Laser printers should be placed in a separate, well-ventilated room, or at least equipped with appropriate filter techniques. Recent Publications 1. Tang T, HurraÃ? J, Gminski R, Mersch Sundermann V (2012) Fine and ultrafine particles emitted from laser printers as indoor air contaminants in German offices. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int.; 19(9): 3840-3849. References 1. Karrasch S, Simon M, Herbig B, Langner J, Seeger S, Kronseder A, Peters S, Dietrich G, Gümperlein R, Schierl R, Nowak D, Jörres R A (2017) Health effects of laser printer emissions: A controlled exposure study. Indoor Air; 1-13. 2. Khatri M, Bello D, Martin J, Bello A, Gore R, Demokritou P, Gaines P (2017) Chronic upper airway inflammation and systemic oxidative stress from nanoparticles in photocopier operators: Mechanistic insights. NanoImpact; 5: 133-145.
Volker Mersch Sundermann is a professor at University of Freiburg, Germany.
E-mail: volker.mersch-sundermann@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Environmental & Analytical Toxicology received 6818 citations as per Google Scholar report
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