Tag Archives: toner cartridge

Printer Toner used to help fight crime

printer toner fingerprintIn a world full of answers on how to recycle just more or less everything under the sun there are always clever people who just go beyond traditional means. Over and over you hear about why you should recycle your printer cartridges from trying to save the environment to being able to save money and so forth. Even with today’s applied science the most overlooked resources often get over looked.

Printer Toner Recycled into Fingerprint Powder

Angus Carnie of 300 Recycling newly noted that he has had a fantastic response from all over the world for his solution to reprocess toner powder as forensic fingerprint powder.

Just as many people would assume to recycle a printer toner cartridge would mean you take it apart and then reconstruct it for resale. But with the new application of using it as a dust for the removal of fingerprints at a crime scene is just remarkable not only for the invention, but also for the value of recycling.

Printer and photocopier cartridges have been reused or broken down to recover the plastic and metal components; nonetheless, the waste toner powder presented a problem due to its complicated composition. Carnie eventually discovered that it made an excellent core material for print powders.

“Ironically, one of the other big issues was what to do with the different colors of toner, but I found that they were ideal for identifying finger prints on dark surfaces such as car dashboards,\” With yellow toner on a black background it makes for a very decided print.

Think doubly if your a thief. If you thought you were smart enough to get away clean think again. One step ahead is the law and in their hand is recycled printer toner from probably your toner cartridge you threw away.

Answers about Toner Cartridges

printer toner answersHaving a laser printer sitting on most office desks – both at the office and at home – most users have come to understand the role of the printer toner. But, in most cases, the extent of our knowledge is limited to knowing when and how the printer toner cartridge must be changed. And change it we do, and with not a clue to having any real understanding of how it functions within our printer.

What is printer toner made of?

Printer toner contains the material – whether in liquid or typically powder form – that brings our printed document to life, to use or dispose of at our discretion. When we choose to print from our computer, a signal is sent to the printer in binary code, formatted and ink – of all crucial colors – is released onto our papers reproducing exactly the document we constructed on our computer.

The printer you use will typically come with a unique cartridge specifically for your printer. Depending on the volume with which we print, the toner cartridge will have to be changed periodically or more frequently. In this case, we purchase replacement printer toner – which in many cases can be an expensive proposition.

Of course when replacing the printer toner most people turn to the printer producer. The specific printer toner that is compatible with your printer comes with a product number that will help you substantially and conveniently locate a replacement. While this can be a more pricey option than purchasing a generic alternative, you are sure to get the quality that your printer needs. Lower quality printer toner, while always less expensive, can seriously clog and damage your printer.

That is not to say, however, that you can not find quality printer toner at reasonable prices. There are generic brands that offer superior quality at a more affordable cost. The key is ensuring that you are dealing with a reputable company that will stand behind the products they sell. A little due diligence on the Internet will help you make a better decision in the long run. Always ask or check to see what kind of guarantee is being offered before you buy.

Printer cartridges is an inevitable part of printer ownership. Take your time to learn what works and what prices you can find so that you affordably address your printer needs. believe the old saying, you get what you pay for. That is especially true when purchasing remanufactured printer cartridges.

Printer Toner Safety First

printer toner safetyEvery office has one. The laser printer is common to every office like the water cooler. Everyday we print off reports, our email, letters to potential customers, charts and many other things. But have you ever changed the toner cartridge in your printer or copier? It often is no problem and doesn’t seem dirty at all, but then there is the nightmare problem leaving you covered by the end of the job with a black coating of dust.

While changing copier or printer toner, your first priority is often getting the machine back running as quickly as conceivable to finish the project at hand. But it’s best to slow down and take the time to follow necessary safety precautions and check the machine for other visual potential problems.

Printer Toner is a fine powder

While copier and printer toner itself isn’t a health hazard, its fine powder (less than 3 microns) in high denseness can be. This powder can stay in the air for quite awhile, and is similar to dust when it comes to its effects on our body, resulting in allergic irritations like sneezing and coughing. Add any respiratory conditions like bronchitis or asthma and these effects can become consuming.

How does this dust become airborne? You’d be surprised at how fairly easy it is. An ill advised way to find out is to take the cartridge out of the machine, get a can of air and give it a blast. Often the failure of a toner cartridge is not that it is empty, it is the fact that the wasted toner is full. Improper disposal of printer toner in waste baskets can quickly spread dust through the air. Machine spills can cycle through the ventilator fan and make the toner dust airborne in seconds. Over-filled waste toner compartments can overrun within the machine.

Some laser toner cartridges are considered carcinogens, or cancer causing, increasing the risk of those individuals facing extremely heavy and long-term exposure. Nevertheless, typical office and personal use is deemed safe.

So take precautions. Vacuum, and use a vacuum that is equipped with a fine powder dust collection bag like the shop vac with a drywall dust bag, don’t sweep or brush, spilled toner dust. Clean up desktops or surfaces with a damp cloth. Should toner get on your hands, wash them well and instantly with soap and warn water, then with cold water which keeps your pores closed and protects your hands from becoming stained. Avoid rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth and never ingest. To play it extra safe, put the toner in a zipped plastic bag or tie off a common kitchen bag to avoid possible dust emissions.

If your eyes start watering, sneezing occurs or shortness of breath, stop working with the printer toner, if applicable, and get fresh air immediately. Then seek medical attention if your symptoms persist.