Printer Ink - Toxic?
May 9, 2011
(bookmark)

Every printer cartridge you handle is a container of chemicals, with no contents listed.


There's nothing particularly alarming in that chemical mix, and you can find answers to any questions that might come up. The law requires that ink manufacturers post Material Data Safety Sheets on each product that they sell, and you can find them online.


Take a look at the MSDS Canon PGI-220BK, one of Inkfarm's best-selling cartridges, and you find out the European Union doesn't classify it as dangerous as long as it is used as designed. But inhaling, swallowing or getting it in your eyes can cause a long list of unpleasant -- but non-lethal -- symptoms.


Here's a summary:


ChemicalContentDetails
Glycerin5-10 percent*Same as the food additive.
Glycol5-10 percent*The MSDS doesn't specify whether it's the non-toxic propylene sort, or the mildly toxic ethylene variety.
Lactam5-10 percent*Used as a solvent. One variety shows up in antibiotics. Go figure.
Water60 - 80 percent*You probably know what water is!
*The exact percentage is proprietary and not provided in the MSDS.

If you would like to find the MSDS for your cartridge, here are the links:


Brother
Canon
Epson
Hewlett-Packard
Lexmark
Okidata
Panasonic (Select "Material Safety Data Sheets")
Samsung
Xerox

  3 Comments

Dollie    7.06.11

Gosh, I wish I would have had that information erailer!

jman    6.28.13

Ethylene glycol is VERY toxic!

GetitFix    4.04.17

Hi,

Thanks for Informtion

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