In recent decades offset printing inks have been given much scrutiny concerning their safety in the workplace as well as to the public. Ink manufacturers have likewise tried to meet this scrutiny by replacing carcinogenic chemicals with alternatives.
Governments have been clamping down
Strict standards have been established by governments to limit carcinogens and volatile organic compounds in printing ink. For example, the German government now has an extensive list of chemicals that are not allowed in offset printing inks used in their country.*
There are still carcinogens in printing ink
However concern remains as studies are still showing that there are still carcinogens in printing ink, some of them not being declared on safety data sheets. A worldwide study with extensive testing has exposed this.*
Emphysema and other diseases continue
Printing inks contain chemicals harmful to human health, but not nearly as bad as they used to be. Harmful petroleum chemicals have been replaced by soybean and linseed oil. Therefore older newspapers, or ones produced in countries with low standards can have far more harmful chemicals.
In my experience in offset printing, I have many old friends who developed emphysema. It's not just the ink, it's the powders used for sheetfed presses. Especially these ones seem to have lung issues later in life.
A simple test can help determine if it’s harmful. There are two things to check. First, if the ink is a little lighter than normal, it could be petroleum based and therefore more harmful. Modern soybean based blacks have a darker pitch. Second, slide your finger over the ink. Vegetable based inks almost fully absorb and dry in the newsprint. Petroleum based inks never really completely dry and will rub off in your hands, even after years.
Related link: Diseases and Hazards in the Offset Pressroom
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