Journal of Allergy & Therapy

Abstract

Coughing from Copiers? Workplace Induced Chronic Cough after Exposure to Laser Printer Exhaust

Alessandra D’Alessandro, Nadine Waldburg, Irina Boeckelmann and Jens Schreiber

Despite an increasing number of patients complaining of respiratory symptoms when working with photocopiers and laser printers, the health hazards posed by these machines are considered to be minimal to non-existent. We report a patient employed as a governmental clerk who reported acute respiratory discomfort and cough occurring after an accidental exposure to toner dust while changing a cartridge. After the accident she reported dry cough and discomfort each time she used a laser printer. Since the symptoms were limiting her ability to work, she sought medical help. We performed lung function test before and after an occupational exposure to laser printer by having the patient copy documents for one hour. After the occupational exposure, the patient suffered chest discomfort and cough and although we did not observed changes in the pulmonary function, we did observe bronchial inflammatory changes, with increase of the neutrophilic component in BAL cellularity and sign of inflammation at the bronchial wall.