Keeping a laser printer in the same room as a budgie

[Ichigotchi]

Hey all,

I'm absolutely sick to death of my inkjet printer, and I'd really like to buy a laser. The problem is I have nowhere to put the laser printer except my room, and I have nowhere to put my budgie except my room.

I'm worried because I know some laser printers give off particulates.

www.scientificamerican.com/article/printer-polluting-air-you-breathe/

I was planning on buying a Brother laser, which isn't mentioned on that list.

Is it too risky to use a laser in my room?

They only give off particulates when actually printing, so if I just take it out into the hallway when I'm printing, would that be okay? Has anyone else kept a laser in the same room as a budgie without issue?

[Loz]

The main risks, marginal as they are, to your budgie from a laser printer are the generation of ozone and particulates whilst printing, and the release of particulates when changing the ink cartridge. If the printer is outside of the room, with the door shut, when performing these tasks, I would have said that the risk to your beloved bird is minimal/negligible.

I have a laser printer in a room that my Flock has access to but the times when I want to print, and the birbs want to be in the room, total practically zero. If you are printing the occasional page, once in a while, the risk will be tiny indeed.

[Ichigotchi]

Thank you, loz! I'll see if I can find out if Brother printers have lower emissions. I do have moments where I print a lot as I do a lot of creative projects. But I suppose I could just lug the printer down to the front room if I have to.

[Loz]

Jan 5, 2024 13:29:18 GMT Ichigotchi said:

Thank you, loz! I'll see if I can find out if Brother printers have lower emissions. I do have moments where I print a lot as I do a lot of creative projects. But I suppose I could just lug the printer down to the front room if I have to.

Yes, for prolonged use, I wouldn't have the printer going in the room with the birb.

And I don't know how much I trust manufacturers claims on "reduced emissions" (looking at you, Volkswagon).

[Ichigotchi]

Oh for sure, I'd be looking at third party tests. While the printer is unplugged, or if I get an all-in-one and scan to PC without printing, would it still be giving off emissions? I've only ever had inkjets before. I'm assuming it's only when it's warming up the toner and printing that it gives stuff off?

[Loz]

Jan 5, 2024 13:44:43 GMT Ichigotchi said:

Oh for sure, I'd be looking at third party tests. While the printer is unplugged, or if I get an all-in-one and scan to PC without printing, would it still be giving off emissions? I've only ever had inkjets before. I'm assuming it's only when it's warming up the toner and printing that it gives stuff off?

Yes, particulates are only when the laser printer is operating (or when changing out the toner cartridge).

[Marianne Marlow]

I had not even considered this

Is a laser printer and a Laserjet the same thing?

[Loz]

Jan 5, 2024 16:11:39 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

I had not even considered this

Is a laser printer and a Laserjet the same thing?

Laserjet is the Hewlett Packard model name. All Laserjets are laser printers but the reverse is not true.

[Marianne Marlow]

We have a small hp laserjet that my husband sometimes uses - maybe once every 3 weeks to print about 10 sheets.
I cannot believe that I never even though about the effect.

Do you think that printing with the window open would be okay??

[Loz]

Jan 5, 2024 16:22:32 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

We have a small hp laserjet that my husband sometimes uses - maybe once every 3 weeks to print about 10 sheets.
I cannot believe that I never even though about the effect.

Do you think that printing with the window open would be okay??

I would run an air purifier during printing and for the rest of the day afterwards, in the room where it takes place. I don't think there is much risk to our birds from this but I know how  you and I both feel about removing all risks, no matter how tiny.

[Marianne Marlow]

There is an air purifier running and it happens to be right next to where the printing happens

I do hope that is enough.

Are toasters also bad? We have one but obviously the birds are not allowed in the kitchen when it's in use and they rarely go there anyway as all cooking is done with the door closed.

[Marianne Marlow]

We don't use toaster bags. It's just toasted bread or crumpets.

[Loz]

Toasters are chocobo-magnets. I've had to shut the kitchen door when I use mine.
I'm more concerned with a birb jumping on the toaster when it's hot than any fumes or particulates but I don't like the thought of actual burnt toast smoke and budgies.

[Ichigotchi]

Thank you, loz. I'm thinking of getting this model:

Brother HL-L3230CDW A4 Colour LED Laser Printer

I can't really find any more info on particulates for Brother models, but this looks small enough for me to carry out when I need to print. I'm currently working on a new dollshouse and my inkjet has clogged so I can't print out the things I need!

Tbh Marianne, we used to keep our first generation budgies in an open plan living room next to the kitchen, we basically did everything wrong, kitchen fumes, aerosols, the lot and the last three lived till 10, 11 and 13. Although Cubbie did have breathing problems for the last few years.

Biscuit lives in my room and I've been very careful to shield him from those things. So luckily his only health problem is losing flight and a bit of arthritis in his foot. Unfortunately he still can't accept he can't fly and will still cannonball if I can't catch him in time. But I can't keep him locked in his cage all day.