Is it safe to use the photocopier during pregnancy?

A reader recently wrote in to ask if standing front of and using a photocopier is harmful to an expectant mother and the baby. Read our reply.

Pregnancy Question: Hi, is standing front of and using a photocopier harmful to an expectant mother and the baby?

Answer: Many pregnant women worry about prolonged use of the computer or photocopier at work; however, they have not been shown to have any harmful effect on pregnant women.

If you would like to be on the safe side, it’s best that you or your wife does not change the toner catridge of the photocopier during pregnancy though, as it is believed to be rather dusty. Besides changing the catridge, no study has indicated that photocopier contribute to miscarriage or child abnormality. That said, another office equipment to be careful around are laser printers. Laser printers do give off dust in the air. So be in a well ventilated room if using a laser printer.

Also, it is advisable to have help when it comes to moving or carrying the photocopier paper box as it can be rather heavy.

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Written by

Roshni Mahtani

PregnancyPregnancy - First Trimester