What with the stroke and all, I'm just sayin'...
Topic: Air Quality
Expert: David Powner
Date: 1/5/2006
Subject: Printer Ink Exposure
Topic:
Air Quality
Expert: David Powner
Date: 1/5/2006
Subject: Printer Ink Exposure
Question
Hi David,
I'm a self-representing artist and publisher and working out of my home. I am reproducing prints of my work with the use of a wide inkjet commercial printer in a small office no larger than 12 x 12 feet. Despite that I open the window while the printer is in operation, my concern is how poor the air quality can get, especially while I'm in print production for several hours. The more print sales I've lately been making, especially over the recent holidays, the greater the health concern. Until I acquire my larger commercial space next year, what type (including brand if you may) of air purifiers/cleaners would you suggest I can use in the meantime at home?
Many thanks David your expertise is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Leanne
Answer
Where to begin?
I would start by suggesting that to keep the room relatively fresh, you should be looking at around 6 air-changes per hour, regardless of any contaminant.
There is no point in recycling the air, and merely removing the odors from the printer(which may or may not be hazardous).
There is also a possibility that the ink solvents contain cyclohexanone, which is, I think, carcinogenic. You would need to check the labeling. There will anyhow be other undesirable solvents in the inks.
Assuming the ceiling to be about 8ft., the volume of the room would be 1152 ft3 (12 x 12 x 8),therefore an air mover with the capacity of ~7k ft3/hr would be required.
If this was located where it can preferentially extract the fumes from the printer, and if the exhaust was located external to the room of course, then that should meet your concerns.
If you were unable to achieve or afford such facilities, then at the very least you should have some form of filter that incorporates an activated carbon element, which would
serve to adsorb (not absorb) the fume content.
There are several factors that would affect the life of the (carbon) filter.
From your request, I cannot tell where you are located, so am unable to make further recommendations.
If you require further input, please feel free to maintain the dialogue.
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