I would be extremely surprised if the level of exposure to printing ink from
what is presemably an ink jet printer would be sufficient to sensitise or
even to elicit a reaction if already sensitised. For there to be sufficient
you would certainly have to have a level that would be strongly apparent by
virtue of the smell, since the level of sensitiser in the ink will already
be very small indeed.
I would suspect some other cause of the reaction. However, there is not
sufficient information in your e-mail to be more helpful at this stage. If
you wish to contact me direct I will be happy to try to help with
appropriate questions that might help you to identify the cause so that
appropriate steps can be taken to eliminate this and keep your lady at work.
Regards
Chris Packham
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chloe Coleridge" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 11:21 AM
Subject: desktop printer inks
> Hi All
>
> has anyone come across an employee who has identified desktop printer ink
as a respiratory sensitiser? I know industrial printing ink can be.
>
> I am seeing a lady who has identified this as a problem. The employer
can't relocate her to an area where there is no printer as they do not have
any spare offices ( this is an NHS trust) and she has to share her office
with a secretary who uses the printer on a regular basis. Have explored
option of secretary batching her print requests and printing them off when
the lady in question is not in the office, but this has proved unworkable.
>
> COSHH would presumably apply, although going onto the new HSE asthma
website, printer ink is not listed as a resp sensitiser, but maybe there are
isocyanates in the printer ink.
>
> Am trying to get info from manufacturers of the ink.
>
> Lady is an nurse specialist who used to work with Hiclear disinfectant on
ITU, so possibility of sensitisation following previous exposure to
substance if it was in Hi clear and also the printing ink.
>
> Problem being: is she fit for work (work is respiratory clinical nurse
specialist, exposed to TB patients and therefore reluctant to take oral
steroids if asthma exacerbated by printer ink exposure)
> if there is no other office for her to work in, or the secretary who uses
the printer ( and they claim there isn't), what else can the employer do?
>
> look forward to your responses
>
> Chloe
>
>
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