Potential Volatile Organic Compound Exposure from Dry Process Photocopiers in Operation-Idle Mode

摘要

The advent of electronic equipment, such as personal computers, printers and photocopiers, has rapidly changed the office environment. Many studies have shown that the operation of office equipment will increase indoor air pollutant concentrations that may result in health complaints from exposed workers (Wolkoff et al. 1992, Wolkoff et al., 1993; Wolkoff 1999). Some studies clearly indicated the strong correlation between Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and the presence of photocopiers (Hetes et al 1995, Sundell et al. 1996). Additionly, Wolkoff et al. (1992) found the increases of perceptions of headache, mucous membrane irritation and measurable damage to the conjunctival epithelium among 30 volunteers exposed to office equipment (e.g. photocopiers) inside a chamber. Therefore, the effects of photocopiers on indoor air quality have gained considerable attention during the recent years.