What are some possible negative effects created from the invention of printmaking? How do you think these were handled?

1) Toxic Inks: Inks used in industrial printing effect the environment in various ways. Vent fumes are fumes released by the inks into the atmosphere during printing. These fumes can be harmful when inhaled. Other inks create problems after they are discarded. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides guidelines for worker safety in the print industry, such as wearing protective gloves and masks when handling potentially harmful chemicals. Environmental regulation falls to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which sets pollution level standards for the chemicals used to print.

2)Paper Manufacturing Toxins: The chemicals required to break down the ingredients for paper production emit fumes. These fumes are toxic to workers in paper factories. According to a 1996 study published in "Allergy," some of these chemicals have caused chronic respiratory allergy symptoms that can lead to more severe respiratory issues later in life.
3) Challenging the Church: The printing of affordable books brought in a great profit and soon inspired printers to continue the pocket book practice with secular books. This influx in the amount to printed material eventually led to a great growth in literacy. It also exposed the public to printed material not censored by the church. These was a cause for concern among church leadership, as the scientific findings being circulated threatened some the popular religious views. This conflict between religion and the printing press came to a climax with a monk named Martin Luther in 1517; he was able to spread his discontent with the established church through the printed word.

However, pollution issues surrounding modern industrial printing and paper manufacturing have developed since Gutenberg's revelatory invention. The culmination of toxic ink and bleaches used by some modern manufacturers can have adverse effects on the surrounding environment.