Benzene emissions from laser printers and photocopiers

Emissions of volatile organic compounds from laser printers and photocopiers normally consist of aromatic hydrocarbons, where in addition to styrene, benzene is to be noted. Some 65 appliances were investigated in emission test chambers and 11 of them showed benzene emission rates between 0.1 and 25 μg/min. These emissions are mainly caused by the toners used. Some 173 different toners were analysed for their benzene contents, using headspace gas chromatography. The arithmetical average was 3.2 mg/kg and the peak value was 120 mg/kg. A direct conversion from the benzene content of the toners to the emission rate of the appliances is impossible, because it seems that additional benzene can be released during the printing process.