Castellano Paola, Canepari Silvia, Ferrante Riccardo, L'Episcopo Nunziata
Italian Workers' Compensation Authority-Ex National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention, INAIL Ex ISPESL, Department of Occupational Hygiene, Chemical Agents Laboratory, Via Fontana Candida, 1 - 00040 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy.
J Environ Monit. 2012 Feb;14(2):446-54. doi: 10.1039/c2em10696e. Epub 2012 Jan 19.
The aim of this work was the study, by a multiparametric approach, of emissions from a laser printer in an experimental box-chamber, with particular attention to nanoparticles release. The experimental design included number concentration measurements by Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPS) and chemical characterizations (elements) of size segregated samples collected by Nanomoudi cascade impactor. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were also sampled by charcoal sorbent tubes by personal sampling pumps. Monitoring of ozone, total volatile organic compounds concentrations and of temperature and humidity values inside the experimental box during the printing processes were also performed by automatic analyzers. The performed monitoring allowed to evidence different ways for particles emissions by laser printers, in particular showing that nanoparticles, characterised by high concentrations of Ba, Zn, B, K, Sr and Na, are set free at the beginning of the printing process. This emission seems to be directly ascribable to the use of toner powder, as all these elements are present in it. The emission of larger particles (ca. 100-320 nm) was observed in subsequent phases of the print process, probably due to the condensation of vapours released during the progressive heating of the fuser roller. This contribution was proved by both the FMPS measurements and the cascade impactor results. Also, a low emission of particles in higher size ranges was evidenced, mainly due to paper related particles. A very high concentration of VOCs was detected inside the chamber and the chemical speciation shows that the major contribution is associated to toner components, even if some species are released from other printer components. Although the formation of secondary species by reaction of VOCs with ozone cannot be excluded, these species were present inside the chamber at concentrations lower than the detection limit.
这项工作的目的是通过多参数方法研究实验箱室内激光打印机的排放情况，尤其关注纳米颗粒的释放。实验设计包括使用快速移动粒子粒度分析仪（FMPS）进行数量浓度测量，以及对通过纳米多级冲击器收集的不同粒径样品进行化学表征（元素分析）。还使用个人采样泵通过活性炭吸附管对挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）进行采样。在打印过程中，还通过自动分析仪对实验箱内的臭氧、总挥发性有机化合物浓度以及温度和湿度值进行监测。所进行的监测揭示了激光打印机排放颗粒的不同方式，特别是表明以高浓度的钡、锌、硼、钾、锶和钠为特征的纳米颗粒在打印过程开始时就被释放出来。这种排放似乎直接归因于调色剂粉末的使用，因为所有这些元素都存在于其中。在打印过程的后续阶段观察到较大颗粒（约100 - 320纳米）的排放，这可能是由于定影辊逐渐加热过程中释放的蒸汽凝结所致。FMPS测量结果和多级冲击器结果都证明了这一贡献。此外，还证明了在较大尺寸范围内颗粒的低排放，主要是与纸张相关的颗粒。在实验箱内检测到非常高浓度的VOCs，化学形态分析表明主要贡献与调色剂成分有关，即使有些成分是从打印机的其他部件释放出来的。虽然不能排除VOCs与臭氧反应形成二次成分的可能性，但这些成分在实验箱内的浓度低于检测限。
