View source for Carbonless copy paper

'''Carbonless copy paper''', '''non-carbon copy paper''', or '''NCR paper''' is an alternative to [[carbon paper]], used to make a copy of an original, handwritten (or mechanically typed) document without the use of any electronics. The process was invented by chemists Lowell Schleicher and Barry Green, working for the [[NCR Corporation]], as a [[biodegradable]], stain-free alternative to [[carbon paper]].<ref>http://www.appletonideas.com/pdf/Lowell_Schleicher_Dies.pdf</ref> Early product literature piggybacked on NCR's corporate name by calling the paper '''''N'''o '''C'''arbon '''R'''equired paper''.

== Operation ==

Carbonless copy paper works in a fairly simple way. It consists of sheets of paper that are [[coated paper|coated]] with [[micro-encapsulation|micro-encapsulated]] [[dye]] or [[ink]] and/or a reactive [[clay]].

The back of the first sheet is coated with micro-encapsulated dye. The lowermost sheet is coated on the top surface with a clay that quickly reacts with the dye to form a permanent mark. Any intermediate sheets are coated with clay on top and dye on the bottom.

When someone writes on the sheets, the pressure from the point of the writing instrument causes the micro-capsules to break and spill their dye. Since the capsules are so small, the print obtained is very accurate.

Similarly, the paper can be used in [[Dot matrix printer|dot-matrix]] and impact printers, where the striking head releases dye to interact with the clay.

Carbonless copy paper was also available in a self-contained version that had both the ink and the clay on the same side of the paper.

== Dyes and chemicals ==

The first dye used commercially in this application was [[crystal violet lactone]], which is still widely used today. Other dyes and supporting chemicals used are PTSMH (''p''-toluene sulfinate of Michler's hydrol), TMA ([[trimellitic anhydride]]), phenol-formaldehyde resins, [[azo dye]]s, DIPN ([[diisopropyl naphthalene]]s), [[formaldehyde isocyanate]]s, [[hydrocarbon]]-based [[solvent]]s, [[polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon]]s, [[polyoxypropylene diamine]], [[epoxy resin]]s, aliphatic [[isocyanate]]s, [[Bisphenol A]], [[diethylene triamine]], and others. The dyes in carbonless copy papers may cause [[contact dermatitis]] in sensitive persons.

== Health and environmental concerns ==

Until the 1970s, when the use of [[polychlorinated biphenyl]]s (PCBs) was banned due to health and environmental concerns, PCBs were used as a transfer agent in carbonless copy paper.<ref name="devoogt1984">{{cite journal | author=de Voogt P, Klamer J C, and Brinkman U A Th | title=Identification and quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls in paper and paper board using fused silica capillary gas chromatography | journal=Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology | volume=32 | issue=1 | year=1984 | month=December | pages=45–52 | doi=10.1007/BF01607463 | pmid=6421348}}</ref><ref name="karatsune1972">{{cite journal | author=Kuratsune M and Masuda Y | title=Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Non-carbon Copy Paper | journal=Environmental Health Perspectives | volume=1 | pages=61–62 | year=1972 | month=April | pmid=17539088 | doi=10.2307/3428153 | pmc=1474878 | url=http://jstor.org/stable/3428153 | publisher=Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NPL Site Narrative for Fox River NRDA/PCB Releases|publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency|url=http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/nar1515.htm|accessdate=2009-06-24}}</ref> PCBs are readily transferred to human skin during handling of such papers, and it is difficult to achieve decontamination by ordinary washing with soap and water.<ref name="karatsune1972"/> In Japan, carbonless copy paper is still treated as a PCB-contaminated waste.<ref name="envjapan">{{cite web|title=Invitation of proposals concerning to PCB contaminated solid wastes treatment technologies | publisher=''Hyogo Prefectural Environment Create Center Public Corporation'' | date=2003-01-27 |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/recycle/ill_dum/pcb/index.html | accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref>

Exposure to certain types of carbonless copy paper or its components has resulted, under some conditions, in mild to moderate symptoms of skin irritation and irritation of the mucosal membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. However, a 2000 review found no irritation or sensitization on contact with carbonless copy paper produced after 1987. <ref>{{cite journal| title=Carbonless copy paper and workplace safety: a review|author=Graves CG, Matanoski GM, Tardiff RG|journal= Regul Toxicol Pharmacol |year=2000 |volume=32 |number=1 |pages=99–117 |pmid=11029273| doi=10.1006/rtph.2000.1408| issue=1}}</ref> In most cases, good industrial hygiene and work practices should be adequate to reduce or eliminate symptoms. These include adequate ventilation, humidity, and temperature controls; proper housekeeping; minimal hand-to-mouth and hand-to-eye contact; and periodic cleansing of hands.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ccp/ |title=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - Carbonless Copy Paper |accessdate=2007-10-13|publisher=United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health}}</ref>

The University of Florida has found that chronic exposure to carbonless copy paper can be hazardous to a person's health. Scientists{{Who|date=March 2009}} found higher rates of sick leave and illness complaints at the office using large amounts of carbonless copy paper. Furthermore, a study published in ''Environmental Health Perspectives'' provides new evidence that exposure to paper dust and carbonless copy paper in office work are related to increased risk of adult-onset asthma.<ref>{{cite journal
  | last = Jaakkola
  | first = Maritta S.
  | coauthors = Jouni J.K. Jaakkola
  | title = Office Work Exposures and Adult-Onset Asthma
  | journal = Environmental Health Perspectives
  | volume = 115
  | issue = 7
  | pages = 1007–1011
  | publisher = National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
  | location = 
  | date = July 2007
  | url = http://www.ehponline.org/members/2007/9875/9875.pdf
  | accessdate =
  | pmid = 17637914
  | doi = 10.1289/ehp.9875
  | pmc = 1913573 }}</ref>

The average carbonless copy paper contains a high concentration of [[Bisphenol A]], an endocrine disruptor.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1016/S0045-6535(00)00507-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48084/title/Concerned_about_BPA_Check_your_receipts|title=Concerned About BPA: Check Your Receipts|last=Raloff|first=Janet|date=2009-10-07|publisher=Society for Science and the Public|accessdate=2009-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/202791|title=When Studies Collide|last=Begley|first=Sharon|date=Jun 29, 2009|work=Newsweek|accessdate=2009-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite doi|10.1289/ehp.0800376}}</ref><ref>{{cite pmid|15596252}}</ref>

In 2001 three employees filed a lawsuit blaming carbonless copy paper for their cases of breast cancer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/12/14/MN6533.DTL|title=Co-workers' rare cancer a mystery|date=December 14, 2001|accessdate=29 November 2009}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Spirit duplicator]] AKA Ditto machine
* [[List of duplicating processes]]
* National Geographic http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/carbonless

== Notes ==

{{reflist}}

== References ==

{{refbegin}}
* [http://news.ufl.edu/1997/05/22/carbonls/ U. of FLA News]
* [http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_50/b3711180.htm Business Weeks Expose']
* [http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_50/b3711181.htm  A Paper Trail]
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.carbonlesscopypaper.com/patents_4675706.htm Patent: Pressure-sensitive record material]
* [http://www.giroform.net/ Giroform.net] - Specializing in Giroform Carbonless Paper 
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2001-107/ Hazard Review: Carbonless Copy Paper], from the [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]].
* [http://www.relyco.com/lasercarbonlesspaper.htm Relyco: Carbonless Paper Info and Products]

* Scientist Test Carbonless Copy Paper for Sickening Side Effect http://news.ufl.edu/1997/05/22/carbonls/

{{NCR Corp}}

[[Category:Coated paper]]
[[Category:Paper]]
[[Category:Occupational safety and health]]
[[Category:American inventions]]
[[Category:NCR products]]

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