Dataset Information
A pilot study of occupational exposure to ultrafine particles during 3D printing in research laboratories.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Introduction
3D printing is increasingly present in research environments, and could pose health risks to users due to air pollution and particulate emissions. We evaluated the nanoparticulate emissions of two different 3D printers, utilizing either fused filament fabrication with polylactic acid, or stereolithography (SLA) with light curing resin.Methods
Nanoparticulate emissions were evaluated in two different research environments, both by environmental measurements in the laboratory and by personal sampling.Results
The SLA printer had higher nanoparticulate emissions, with an average concentration of 4,091 parts/cm3, versus 2,203 particles/cm3 for the fused filament fabrication printer. The collected particulate matter had variable morphology and elemental composition with a preponderance of carbon, sulfur and oxygen, the main byproducts.Discussion
Our study implies that when considering the health risks of particulate emissions from 3D printing in research laboratories, attention should be given to the materials used and the type of 3D printer.
SUBMITTER: Felici G
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10272752 | biostudies-literature | 2023
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
A pilot study of occupational exposure to ultrafine particles during 3D printing in research laboratories.
Frontiers in public health 20230602
<h4>Introduction</h4>3D printing is increasingly present in research environments, and could pose health risks to users due to air pollution and particulate emissions. We evaluated the nanoparticulate emissions of two different 3D printers, utilizing either fused filament fabrication with polylactic acid, or stereolithography (SLA) with light curing resin.<h4>Methods</h4>Nanoparticulate emissions were evaluated in two different research environments, both by environmental measurements in the lab ...[more]
