Occupational exposure to photocopiers and their toners cause genotoxicity

What is it about?

Photocopier machines are inevitable office equipment, but they are also sources of air pollution. Millions of people across the world are involved in the operation and maintenance of photocopiers. This is the first study in India that attempted to characterize the exposure undergone by the two groups of workers. Since, the exposure of photocopier maintenance personnel and operators are different.To identify the genotoxic agent(s) among maintenance personnel, we characterized the physical and chemical composition of a few of the toners used in India. To distinguish the genotoxic agent(s) among photocopier operators, we characterized the indoor air quality in photocopier units and volatile organic compounds emitted by toners during photocopier operation and also evaluated genotoxic effects. To examine the list of factors namely age, body mass index, smoking status, pack years of cigarette smoked in addition to cumulative exposure that could possibly influence the genotoxic effects.

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Why is it important?

Our finding shows the evidence of a genetic hazard related to photocopier emissions. This suggests the need for awareness programs to avoid housing photocopier units at residential premises, to improve ventilation in photocopier units and to practice the use of wearing protective gear among all photocopier workers and emphasize on clean technologies to cut down the particulate matter and volatile organic matter emissions

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