The age of three-dimensional (3D) printing is upon us. It is increasingly being introduced in a number of different environments ranging from home use to classrooms, printing farms and professional places.
While 3D printing has the potential to significantly impact our lives with high-quality material production (from aerospace to foods), it should also be considered with caution for its health-related implications.
In this article, we explore the role of fume extraction in reducing harmful risks of 3D printing in the workplace. Let’s take a closer look.
Do 3D printers give off fumes?
3D printing is a broad concept that covers the creation of physical objects through the application of very thin layering, based on a three-dimensional model provided. The implications of this are huge for different fields, ranging from aerospace to medical devices.
However, it should be approached with caution because 3D printers emit certain fumes, depending on the filaments used, which can be harmful to human health.
As such, to answer the question of whether 3D printers give off fumes, the answer is in the affirmative and a careful approach is required. This is especially the case if these printers are operated in a closed, unventilated environment and for prolonged periods of time.
Are 3D printer fumes hazardous?
While some 3D printer fumes are less hazardous than others, all safety precautions should be taken to completely minimise exposure to these fumes. That’s because some of them have been shown to be carcinogenic, depending on the filament and materials used as well as the types of particles emitted.
If you are wondering what are the health risks of inhaling 3D printer fumes, the answer is briefly summarised as follows:
- Irritation to lungs, throat, eyes and nose
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and dizziness
- Neurological problems
- Irreversible respiratory problems
- Disruptions to the nervous system
- Endocrine problems
- Cell damage
- Carcinogenic (cancer causing)
Do 3D printers need ventilation?
Because 3D printers emit nanoparticles that are invisible to the human eye, all efforts should be made to ensure that exposure to these 3D printing fumes is as limited as possible. For this reason, numerous studies have shown that proper ventilation and fume extraction are important ways to achieve this goal.
Ventilation through extractor systems, wearing masks and extracting fumes from the vicinity where the 3D printer is operating, along with placing them in air filtered enclosures are strong steps to take to prevent any harmful health effects.
Is it safe to work next to a 3D printer?
Depending on the materials used in 3D printing, which can range from ceramics to polymers, resins and cement, it may appear at first glance that working next to a 3D printer is safe.
However, as mentioned earlier, the nanoparticles emitted from the 3D printing process can be harmful to human health and all safety precautions should be taken to minimise any potential damage to humans operating these machines or working in this environment.
Which 3D printing materials produce the most emissions?
It is important to distinguish between different 3D printing materials to determine what type of harm they can cause and how to mitigate against this. This is why we explore these materials in more depth below.
- ABS printing fumes: ABS stands for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. It is used in a number of environments, both by professionals and those pursuing 3D printing as a hobby. It is quite a sturdy material that yields good and solid results. However, these filaments produce styrene, which is said to be carcinogenic volatile organic compound (VOC), particularly when this material is melted. It has also been researched that long-term exposure can have important health effects such as nausea, lethargy and headaches.
- PLA printing fumes: Polylactic acid or PLA is one of the most commonly used 3D printing materials. It is made up of materials such as glucose, maize and corn starch. These materials are considered organic and this is one of the reasons why exposure to such fumes is said not to be harmful. In addition, when PLA is melted, it releases lactide into the atmosphere. However, this does not pose serious health issues.
- Resin printer fumes: When it comes to resin 3D printing, it is worth knowing that instead of melting any materials, the printer uses a light source such as an LCD screen or a laser. Despite this, it tends to emit unpleasant smells, which can cause discomfort. To this end, the answer to the question: are 3D printer resin fumes toxic, is typically no, although there may be exceptions.
- Nylon fumes: Nylon is one of the most commonly used materials in an industrial setting. The reason for this is its durability and high resistance to wear and tear. However, melting nylon releases toxic gases, which are primarily composed of caprolactam. Prolonged contact with this compound can lead to eye and nose irritations as well as create respiratory problems. It was also found that nylon 3D printing had the greatest VOC emission rate.
While there are other filaments and materials involved in 3D printing, these are some of the most common ones. And for those among you wondering how different filaments affect air quality, it’s important to understand that this will always depend on the type of material involved in the printing process.
However, it should also be noted that it is important to consider factors such as the temperature at which the printer prints, the printer settings, the printer brand, the work environment or space where the printer operates and others. This should be done holistically as opposed to following a piecemeal approach.
How to maintain good air quality while 3D printing
With all this in mind, it’s important to understand that it is essential to maintain good air quality while doing 3D printing. But what safety measures should be taken while using 3D printers?
One of the most comprehensive approaches is to use a fume extraction systems or a 3D printer fume extractor in your work environment. This will ensure that you and/or your employees are not exposed to any harmful substances such as carcinogenic nanoparticles or other VOCs that can lead to a series of health issues.
Conclusion
When it comes to the question: are 3D printer fumes toxic, the short answer is that it will always depend on the filament and materials used in the production of the final object.
If you want to ensure you remain compliant with health and safety regulations and to ensure the safety of your employees, you’re strongly encouraged to use a 3D printer fume extractor. It will help improve and maintain the air quality in your professional or personal space where your 3D printers are being kept and used on a regular basis.
For this purpose, we invite you to explore the various fume extraction options we have available at Ducting Express. And if you have any questions or need additional clarity or some sound advice, you can always contact our friendly and helpful team today.