[Popular Science] Is the gas released by 3D printing harmful？

3D printing has opened up a creative world, but it is important to print safely. The following is the knowledge about potentially harmful gases.

With the increasing popularity of 3D printers, a series of new problems have emerged, the most important of which is the potential harm to health caused by the gas released when 3D printing objects. Many studies show that the gas emitted by 3D printers poses a threat to human health, so it is very important to be familiar with these risks and how to avoid them.

What’s in the gas of 3D printer?

When a 3D printer works, it emits gas containing particles of plastics, metals and other materials. This volatile gas contains two kinds of components: UFP and VOC. Ultra-fine particles (UFP) are very small, and if you don’t wear proper safety equipment, it may cause inflammation in the eyes and inside the nasal cavity.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) include various compounds emitted from some solids and liquids. According to EPA’s article on indoor air quality (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-q …-indoor-air-quality), some of them are harmless and smell sweet, while others may have negative effects on short-term or long-term health. You should pay attention to avoid long-term exposure to VOC and UFP.

Breathing 3D printer gas into the lungs can cause respiratory problems and other health problems. These gases can also irritate the eyes. When they are absorbed by the skin, they increase the risk of skin irritation and other problems.

Risk of inhaling 3D printing gas

Inhaling 3D printer gas can lead to various health risks, such as:

Allergic reaction: Some 3D printed filaments contain ingredients that may cause allergies or irritate the respiratory system. According to the research of Environmental Science and Technology (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b04168), it is found that ABS and PLA wires are more likely to cause allergy or inflammation.

Skin contact: 3D printer gas may also contact the skin, causing potential irritation. In particular, extrusion-based 3D printers use thermoplastics, which can be dangerous if they directly contact the skin and cause chemical burns. CDC article on 3D printing security (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/newsroom/feature/3Dprinting.html) mentioned that skin contact with harmful 3D printing materials is one of the hazards of this technology.

Respiratory problems: Some 3D printing gases contain gaseous substances that may cause damage to the respiratory system. These gases may irritate eyes, nose and throat, and cause cough, headache, dizziness and other symptoms of respiratory distress. According to the same study of Environmental Science and Technology, the particles emitted by 3D printers will have a negative impact on indoor air quality, and a large amount of exposure will affect the health of respiratory system. The study also found that the emissions of ABS filaments are often more harmful because ABS will lead to more emissions.

Long-term effects of 3D printer gas on health

Long-term exposure to volatile gases from 3D printing will have the following effects:

Cell damage: According to a study conducted by Chemical Insights Research Institute using human airway epithelial cells (https://ChemicalInsights.org/WP-content/uploads/Chemical-Insights _ 3D-toxicity-report _ final.pdf), long-term exposure to 3D printer gas will damage cells.

Carcinogens: Some types of thermoplastics used in 3D printing process contain carcinogens, which may cause cancer if inhaled or ingested for a long time. According to a study by the American Chemical Society (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.5b04983) in 2016, ABS and HIPS filaments will produce a large amount of styrene, which is listed as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

How to protect yourself from 3D printer gas?

△ Closed resin 3D printer is opened and placed on the table. Image source: Nerdtronic/ YouTube

You can take various measures to reduce the amount of 3D printer gas that you are exposed to in your home or office environment. These include:

Ensure proper ventilation: Ensure that your 3D printer has sufficient ventilation and air circulation to minimize the accumulation of 3D printing gas. You can do this by opening windows, using fans to circulate air, or installing an exhaust system.

Use a breathing mask: If you are using a particularly odorous material (such as ABS), it may be helpful to wear a breathing mask designed to prevent odors and particles. Some also have special filters to prevent certain materials such as nylon and polycarbonate.

Use safer materials: 3D printer wires like ABS will produce a lot of toxic gases and should be avoided. You should consider choosing 3D printer wires like PLA and PETG that produce less toxic gases.

Clean your printer regularly: Be sure to clean your 3D printer regularly to prevent dust and other particles from accumulating in the air during printing. Cleaning the printer regularly also helps to reduce unpleasant smells. You can start by cleaning the 3D printing machine, and then move on to other parts.

Enclosure: Install a 3D printer enclosure around your 3D printer to help control smoke and keep them away from other people in the space. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also recommends the use of enclosures to capture gases. An example of a 3D printer housing is shown below.

Fan: Install a fan near the printer to help discharge some gases out of the work area faster and improve the ventilation cycle.

Temperature control: Monitor and adjust the temperature of the 3D printer to reduce the gas generated by the filament.

Silk storage: store the silk in a cool place, away from heat sources such as sunlight or direct heating, to prevent the volatilization of harmful gases.

Heating to build a platform: Using heating to build a platform helps to prevent the filament from overheating and reduce the amount of gas emitted.

Wear protective equipment: Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from the gas released during printing, and wear gloves to prevent sharp edges on printed objects.

Take necessary precautions when using 3D printers.

The gas generated by 3D printers may be harmful to your health, so all necessary precautions must be taken to reduce exposure to this gas, including adequate ventilation and protective equipment. By taking these steps, you can ensure that 3D printing is safe for you and your family or colleagues. If you are exposed to dangerous levels of these gases, you should seek medical help from qualified professionals.

Original title: "[Popular Science] Is the gas released by 3D printing harmful? 》