HP mocks study, denies that laser printers are deadly

Health-conscious readers will likely remember a study that was released earlier this week by researchers at Australia's Queensland University of Technology, which suggested that ultra-tiny particles released by laser printers might be as detrimental to your health as second-hand smoke. While most of us were at least a wee bit worried, one group of printer users wasn't spooked in the least: the folks at HP. The skeptical vendor has issued a public statement questioning both the study's results and methodologies.

In the statement, Truan Tran, HP's vice president of marketing for supplies, claims "the nature and chemical composition of such particles - whether from a laser printer or from a toaster - cannot be accurately characterized by analytical technology." Furthermore, "Testing of ultrafine particles is a very new scientific discipline. There are no indications that ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions from laser printing systems are associated with special health risks." Considering that 16 of the 17 printers identified as dangerous in the study were manufactured by HP, it might be about time for a marketing makeover--I hear Joe Camel has been looking for work lately.

For more on the statement:
- see this Engadget article