Laser engravers, laser cutters, laser markers, laser printers — these are tools in a wide range of various industries, from manufacturing to crafting and even for hobbyists.
But as useful as these machines are, they come with significant air quality dangers that are often overlooked. Understanding these risks and how to mitigate them is crucial for maintaining a safe working environment.
Air Quality Dangers and Laser Tools
Lasers produce a variety of foul odors and harmful fumes depending on the type of material being engraved, marked, or cut. The entire concept behind the technology is to use an acute beam of extreme heat on a surface. Common materials such as wood, acrylic, plastics, and metals release various hazardous compounds when subjected to the intense heat of a laser.
- Wood: Engraving wood can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and fine particulate matter.
- Acrylic and Plastics: These materials often release toxic fumes, including styrene and other harmful chemicals.
- Metals: While metals themselves may not emit harmful fumes, common coatings or paints on metals can produce dangerous particulates and gases.
Exposure to these particulate matter, VOCs, and other toxins can cause a range of health issues, from respiratory problems and skin irritation to more severe long-term effects such as neurological damage, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This underscores the importance of proper ventilation and targeted air purification in workspaces with lasers.
Air Safety Recommendations
In addition to proper use and maintenance of the machines themselves, air quality control efforts will vary with each environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides no specific guidelines for workplaces, but stresses that they maintain safe air quality standards. One of the key recommendations is related to Air Changes per Hour (ACH), which refers to how many times the air within a defined space is replaced each hour.
Measuring and taking actions to increase the ACH can help ensure that harmful particulates and fumes are regularly removed from the air, significantly reducing the risk of exposure for workers.
Vaniman’s Air Purifiers: A Solution for Cleaner Air
Given the risks associated with laser generated air contaminants, investing in high-quality air purification systems becomes more than just a luxury — it is essential. Building ventilation alone is not enough.
To enhance building ventilation and add to air purification efforts, Vaniman offers a range of air purifiers specifically designed to handle the unique challenges posed by laser based tools.
- Efficiency: Vaniman’s air purifiers use HEPA filters capable of capturing up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. This includes the fine particulate matter released during laser engraving.
- Activated Carbon Filters: These filters are essential for removing harmful gases and VOCs from the air, providing an additional layer of protection.
- Customizable Solutions: Vaniman’s air purifiers come in various models, allowing users to choose the system that best fits their workspace size and specific needs.
Room Level and Targeted Capture
Vaniman’s Pure Breeze family of HEPA filter air purifiers provide the solutions businesses need.
Pure Breeze HEPA Air Purifier
For room level air purification, the Pure Breeze HEPA Air Purifier is the go-to device.
This portable commercial unit adds two to three air changes per hour in a standard 1,000 square foot room — and with its sturdy casters and available clear acrylic table top, it can be easily integrated into any room, from offices to lobbies to laboratories to workshops and more. It comes with four levels of filtration, including activated carbon for odor removal and hospital-grade HEPA filtration for aerosols, allergens, and particulates of all kinds.
-
Pure Breeze HEPA Air Purifier – 10360A$1,926.86 – $2,055.86View Details
Pure Breeze HEPA Fume Hood
For room level air purification, the Pure Breeze HEPA Air Purifier is the go-to device.
The Pure Breeze HEPA Fume Hood uses the same four-stage filtration, but comes with a broader capture area and can be mounted on a wall or ceiling to be directly above any fume-emitting laser station, burnout oven, or 3D printer.
It is also available in a benchtop capture setup with a clear shield for placement directly on top of workstations.
-
Pure Breeze HEPA Fume Hood – 10370$1,926.86View Details -
Pure Breeze Bench Top HEPA Fume Hood – 10372Product on saleOriginal price was: $2,309.00.$2,242.24Current price is: $2,242.24.View Details
Pure Breeze FX HEPA Fume Extractor
The Pure Breeze FX HEPA Fume Extractor offers two stages of filtration — activated carbon and HEPA — and comes with a four foot adjustable capture hose and six inch capture mouth for convenient targeted fume extraction.
This unit also comes with casters for portability and a foot pedal remote for hands-free activation.
By integrating Vaniman’s air purifiers into your laser engraving setup, you can ensure compliance with OSHA’s ACH recommendations and significantly improve the air quality in your workspace. This not only protects the health of your employees but also enhances overall productivity and workplace safety.
Reach Out to Vaniman Today
Prioritizing air quality is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a commitment to the well-being of everyone in the workplace. By understanding the risks, adhering to OSHA’s ACH recommendations, and investing in reliable air purification solutions like those offered by Vaniman, businesses can create a safer and healthier environment for their workers.
If you’d like to speak with a specialist about air quality safety products from Vaniman, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Fill out the form below and someone will reply as quickly as possible, or you may contact us by phone at (760) 723-1498.
Sources:
OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) – Section III: Chapter 3: https://www.osha.gov/otm/section-3-health-hazards/chapter-3
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Environment, Health & Safety Office: Laser Cutter Safety Guidance: https://ehs.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/MITEHS_Laser_Cutter_Guidance.pdf
More:
Case Studies: HEPA Air Filtration for Indoor Professional and Industrial Settings