As if there aren’t enough things we’re exposed to in our day-to-day lives that could potentially cause cancer, a recent study done by researches at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology suggest that some printers in the office place could be emitting particles that are small enough to be a health risk to workers near them.

In the study the researches found that of 62 printers studied, 17 of them they considered “high particle emitters” with one of them putting out tiny, potentially dangerous particles at the same rate as a burning cigarette. According to professor Lidia Morawska who authored the study, the particles being emitted from the printer are similar in size to those that come from cigarettes. The tiny particles are able to make their way to the smaller parts of the lung which could health problems, “from respiratory irritation to more severe illness such as cardiovascular problems or cancer”, said Morawska.

The study also found that the emission level of particles were highest during the working hours when the printers were being used the most and toner cartridges were low or detailed images were being printed. Morawska suggests operating printers in well ventilated areas and as far from workers desks as possible.

USA Today