It's a simple fact: overlooking the replacement of the ozone filter in early models of Hewlett Packard, Apple, QMS, and other Canon-engine-based laser printers can result in serious health consequences for the user of the printer and those other persons working in the immediate area of the printer.

OZONE: What is it?
You've heard about the ozone layer, but what exactly is ozone? Well, technically, ozone is a form of oxygen and a highly reactive gas. Ozone gas is invisible and almost odorless-usually never detected by the average person. It is sometime referred to as activated oxygen or triatomic oxygen. Oxygen has two atoms of oxygen (O2) and ozone has three (O3). Ozone is formed primarily through the reaction of sunlight (ultraviolet) hitting hydrocarbons, and by electrical discharges in the atmosphere. It reverts to oxygen within about 35 minutes; but, during its short life span, it can do damage to both your health and your printer.

What does ozone have to do with my printer?
Ozone gas is released as a by-product of the electro-photographic process when laser printers and photocopiers are used. Newer models have almost eliminated the emission of this by-product but more than 70% of older models still emit ozone.

What are some of the health risks?
THE OZONE GAS produced by laser printers and photocopy machines is raising health concerns. In the U.K., scientists recently found that office workers who share space with copiers and laser printers are exposed to as much as 10 times the amount of ozone that's considered safe. The Danish Technological Institute tested such equipment in 200 offices and discovered that the internal filters often clog and stop working after about half a year, emitting unhealthy amounts of the gas.

Long term damage may include respiratory ailments, lung tissue damage, and premature aging of the skin. Ozone is the major harmful ingredient in smog. Exposure to ozone can result in headaches and nausea, coughing, wheezing, eye and nose irritation, airway inflammation, and pain on deep inspiration. Chronic or long-term exposure to ozone can cause decreased lung function, lung tissue inflammation, long-term lung damage, and greater susceptibility to infection.

Despite some marketers' claims there is no difference between the outdoor ozone in smog and ozone produced directly by ozone generators.

"We have received numerous calls from the public with questions about these devices. Some people report health effects such as headaches and eye, nose, and lung irritation," says Astrid Berg, Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Washington. "Ozone is a potent lung irritant and exposure to elevated levels is a contributor to the exacerbation of lung disease. It is especially dangerous for persons with asthma or other chronic lung disease, children, and the elderly."

With all of its shocking health risks, it's always surprising how some people don't seem to react when their own health is endangered by exposure to ozone gas. Instead, they react instantly when they learn of the high repair cost to equipment caused by ozone gas.

Damage to your printer-avoid costly repairs!
All plastic parts of the printer will wear faster from the build-up of ozone gas because it is abrasive to plastic. An example of the plastics affected is the wiper blade in the cartridge and the gears on the fuser assembly. Cartridges have a higher failure rate as the age/usage of the ozone filter rises.

Possible symptoms of the deterioration of internal printer components are:

	Paper jams when the paper is exiting.
	Faint copies, or sections of printout.
	50 Error on the printer's LCD panel.

The Inexpensive Solution: Ozone Filters
Within the case or top cover of many laser printers and copiers lurks an important device called an "ozone filter." The purpose of an ozone filter is twofold: the primary function is to convert the ozone generated by the high voltage present during the printing process back into oxygen and carbon dioxide. This process consumes the activated charcoal in the filter until it is no longer effective and must be replaced. The secondary purpose of the filter is to trap paper and toner dust, both of which are normal by-products of laser printing.

The ozone filter has not been a promoted consumable by the imaging manufacturers as it represents a gray area of potential product liability. Sometimes it is mentioned hastily in the owner's manual but never properly explained or supported.

Changing an ozone filter at the 10,000-page count not only protects the health of the user, but safeguards your printer investment from the cost of repairs.