How To Choose an Industrial Fume Extractor for Laser Printing

Industrial worksites are full of carefully controlled hazards. Equipment can cause bodily harm. Repetitive motion can cause ergonomic damage. Loud noise can cause hearing loss. While many industrial hazards like these are well known, and regulations are in place to protect workers, others are less obvious – but equally dangerous if they’re not properly mitigated.

Laser printing fumes are a prime example. These emissions go unseen and unheard, but if they build up they will cause serious harm to your team members.

In today’s manufacturing plants, it’s crucial to understand how laser printing fumes are created, why they’re dangerous, what fume extraction system criteria to look for (as well as red flags to avoid), and how to find a fume extraction system manufacturer that you can trust. 

Understanding Laser Printing Fumes and Hazards

Learning what laser printing fumes are and why they are dangerous is the first step to finding the right solution for your plant. Laser printing fumes, also known as laser-generated air contaminants (LGACs), are generated when a high-energy laser beam hits a substrate. This interaction creates the substrate material to burn, melt, or vaporize into a mixture of airborne particles. These airborne particles are the LGACs. 

LGACs vary depending on the substrate material and coatings, but they typically include many of the following harmful particulates: 

• VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
• Ultrafine particles (UFPs)
• Toner dust
• Ozone
• Combustion byproducts

Without comprehensive fume extraction, LGACs can cause short-term health issues like headaches, respiratory irritation, and eye irritation. Chronic exposure causes major adverse health effects like reduced lung function, cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of cancer. 

OSHA does not have a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for LGACs, but they have published a Table Z-1-Limits for Air Contaminants that sets PELs for harmful substances contained in LGACs, such as benzene, toluene, and styrene.

Worker safety is top priority, but it’s important to note that unmitigated LGACs will also harm industrial equipment. LGACs can corrode metal components, mirrors, and optical systems. They can also clog mechanical equipment and impede their performance. 

Key Factors To Look for in a Laser Printer Fume Extractor

To capture the fumes emitted during laser printing, HEPA filtration is the go-to solution. Extract-All fume extractors, like the SP987-3 Portable Air Cleaner, are equipped with a HEPA filter that catches 99.97% of LGACs at 0.3 microns. If you’d like to go above and beyond, you would use an ULPA filter that is 99.99% efficient at 0.12 microns, such as the one in our SP-987-4 system. 

After ensuring you have sufficient filtration, check to make sure your desired fume extractor has the capacity to filter the volume of air that needs to be cleaned in your facility. The key metric here is CFM, or cubic feet per minute. CFM tells you the minimum volume of air that needs to be extracted; you can find this in your laser printer manual. We use the laser printer CFM as a minimum because printer CFM calculations typically assume ideal conditions. In reality, extractor filters aren’t always completely clean, and hose length and bends affect extraction rates.  

Next, take a look at the physical makeup of the fume extraction system itself. If your unit will be operating in a demanding industrial environment, you’ll need a unit that’s built to withstand harsh environments. Extract-All offers units, such as our SP987-2 Portable Air Cleaner, that are made of 18-gauge steel for an optimal impact resistance as well as a polyurethane powder coating for abrasion and chemical resistance. 

Lastly, check the fume extractor noise level. In industrial workplaces, OSHA requires employers to, “implement a hearing conservation program when employee noise exposures equal or exceed 85 decibels (dBA) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).” All Extract-All industrial air cleaning systems register at 73 dB or lower, promoting a safe noise level. 

What To Avoid: Fume Extraction System Manufacturer Red Flags

Knowing what to look for in a fume extractor is half the battle. Knowing what to avoid is equally important. With years of experience in the fume extractor sector, these are the red flags we see most often:

1. Vague or unverified filtration claims: Any numbers should be backed up with details and evidence. If you see a claim like “99.9% capture” without specifying the type of particles being captured or how they achieved this number, proceed with caution. At Extract-All, we use HEPA filtration that’s proven to be effective.

2. One-size-fits-all products: If the provider does not offer unique fume extraction models for unique applications, this indicates a lack of insight into specific industry needs.

3. No after-sale support: Filters need replacing, and warranties combined with customer service give peace of mind to the customer. We recommend finding a provider that offers robust post-sales support; at Extract-All, we offer a three-year warranty, an automated filter replacement program, and personal support from filtration experts.

Find a Laser Printer Fume Extractor Provider You Can Trust with Extract-All

Laser printer fumes are easy to miss, but essential to mitigate. To ensure you find the right fume extractor for your facility, partner with a provider that has years of experience in fume extraction technology for industrial applications. 
As the leaders in filtration technology, Extract-All is a trusted partner for industrial companies seeking laser cutting fume extraction solutions. Contact us today to find a system for your facility.