The world is full of surprisingly hazardous materials, even at home. Case in point is printer ink. By changing the ink cartridges in your printer, it is easy to smudge ink on your skin. This may cause skin irritation and eye irritation if rubbed into the eyes. Unlike ink found in pens or even ink used for tattoos, ink in printer cartridges contain a substance called, P-Anisidine that is harmful if accidentally ingested. If a child does ingest this harmful substance, it is imperative to see a doctor or go to the emergency room.
Identification
If you do spill printer ink on your hands it will stain and if you are sensitive, you may develop skin irritation. Anything more than a small spill requires seeking medical help. It is good to understand the characteristics of printer ink. Printer ink is generally always contained in neatly packaged printer cartridges. However, it is possible to order online a refill package that allows users to use a small hand-held pump to fill up an empty ink cartridge. Doing so will expose you to a greater likelihood of getting ink on your hands, which is not harmful if washed off right away.
Considerations
If you are very sensitive to chemicals or have very sensitive skin or eyes, do not use the refillable type of printer ink cartridges. It is nearly impossible to avoid spilling some of the ink onto your hands when you do use the refill ink tubes to refill the cartridges. Opt for the pre-packaged ink cartridges and simply recycle the empty cartridges.
Significance
It is easy to accidentally get ink on your hands and then rub your face or eyes or touch your mouth. If you are using the ink refills that are ordered online and squeezing the ink refills into empty ink cartridges, wear plastic gloves. Rinse off any ink that you do spill onto your hands or face. You do not want to forget you have ink on your hands and sleep overnight, for example, with printer ink absorbing into your skin and bloodstream. As with many household items, there are toxic ingredients that you may come into contact with, but as long as you wash them off your skin, you should not suffer harmful effects.
Warning
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), most inks used for writing is made of dyes, pigments, solvents and water. NIH says that this is generally not harmful to most people. However, if you are sensitive to chemicals or have sensitive skin or eyes, avoid using the refillable printer ink cartridges that can expose you to leaking ink.
Prevention/Solution
You can still be environmentally responsible by sending back to the printer cartridge manufacturer or dropping it off at certain office supply stores. If you think you may have a negative reaction to spilled printer ink on your hands, use the sealed printer ink cartridges only. Some printer ink cartridges will send you pre-paid envelopes in which to mail back your empty printer ink cartridges. Check with your doctor if you have any skin irritation, rashes or other symptoms that you believe are a result from exposure to printer ink.
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