How to Check Paper Safety

Paper toxicity can be determined using laboratory tests.

The City of Osaka's Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science prepares an annual report about the toxicity of recycled paper. Determining the toxicity of pulp and paper products is essential to ensuring public health in Osaka, and it is equally important in the U.S. Toxicity is a particular problem during the paper manufacturing process, when byproducts can enter the water supply. Toxic chemicals used to bleach or boil paper may contain agents that could damage DNA or inhibit cell growth. Most countries monitor paper toxicity by setting standards for paper distributors and manufacturers.

Instructions

1. Contact the company that supplies your paper products. You may be able to find toxicity information on the company's website. For example, Xerox offers information on product toxicity as well as news about changes to applicable regulations.

2. Ask your paper supplier if their products meet European standards. Regulations that apply to paper products in the European Union (EU) are more stringent than regulations in the United States. An international paper supply company must meet EU regulations in order to sell their products inside the EU. Therefore, paper products that meet EU standards are often less toxic.

3. Read the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for toxicity in the workplace. These are posted on OSHA's website (see Resources). Ask your paper supplier when they were last inspected by OSHA and if they comply with OSHA regulations.

4. Buy unbleached paper. Recycled, unbleached paper products are less toxic then their pure white counterparts.

References

• OSHA
• Science Links:
• Xerox: Controling Chemical Content
• Greenline Paper

Resources

• United States Department of Labor: Occupational Safety & Health Administration