Use of 3-Dimensional Printers in Educational Settings: The Need for Awareness of the Effects of Printer Temperature and Filament Type on Contaminant Releases
- Aleksandr B. Stefaniak*Aleksandr B. Stefaniak*Phone: +1-304-285-6302. E-mail: [email protected]Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by Aleksandr B. Stefaniak,
- Lauren N. BowersLauren N. BowersRespiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by Lauren N. Bowers,
- Gabe CottrellGabe CottrellSchool of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108, United StatesMore by Gabe Cottrell,
- Ergin ErdemErgin ErdemSchool of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108, United StatesMore by Ergin Erdem,
- Alycia K. KneppAlycia K. KneppRespiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by Alycia K. Knepp,
- Stephen MartinStephen MartinRespiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by Stephen Martin,
- Jack PrettyJack PrettyHealth Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45213, United StatesMore by Jack Pretty,
- Matthew G. DulingMatthew G. DulingRespiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by Matthew G. Duling,
- Elizabeth D. ArnoldElizabeth D. ArnoldRespiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by Elizabeth D. Arnold,
- Zachary WilsonZachary WilsonSchool of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108, United StatesMore by Zachary Wilson,
- Benjamin KriderBenjamin KriderSchool of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108, United StatesMore by Benjamin Krider,
- Ryan F. LeBoufRyan F. LeBoufRespiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by Ryan F. LeBouf,
- M. Abbas VirjiM. Abbas VirjiRespiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United StatesMore by M. Abbas Virji, and
- Arif SirinterlikciArif SirinterlikciSchool of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108, United StatesMore by Arif Sirinterlikci
Abstract
Material extrusion-type fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3-D printing is a valuable tool for education. During FFF 3-D printing, thermal degradation of the polymer releases small particles and chemicals, many of which are hazardous to human health. In this study, particle and chemical emissions from 10 different filaments made from virgin (never printed) and recycled polymers were used to print the same object at the polymer manufacturer’s recommended nozzle temperature (“normal”) and at a temperature higher than recommended (“hot”) to simulate the real-world scenarios of a person intentionally or unknowingly printing on a machine with a changed setting. Emissions were evaluated in a college teaching laboratory using standard sampling and analytical methods. From mobility sizer measurements, particle number-based emission rates were 81 times higher; the proportion of ultrafine particles (diameter <100 nm) were 4% higher, and median particle sizes were a factor of 2 smaller for hot-temperature prints compared with normal-temperature prints (all p-values <0.05). There was no difference in emission characteristics between recycled and virgin acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polylactic acid polymer filaments. Reducing contaminant release from FFF 3-D printers in educational settings can be achieved using the hierarchy of controls: (1) elimination/substitution (e.g., training students on principles of prevention-through-design, limiting the use of higher emitting polymer when possible); (2) engineering controls (e.g., using local exhaust ventilation to directly remove contaminants at the printer or isolating the printer from students); (3) administrative controls such as password protecting printer settings and establishing and enforcing adherence to a standard operating procedure based on a proper risk assessment for the setup and use (e.g., limiting the use of temperatures higher than those specified for the filaments used); and (4) maintenance of printers.
Cited By
This article is cited by 1 publications.
- Aleksandr B. Stefaniak, Lauren N. Bowers, Gabe Cottrell, Ergin Erdem, Alycia K. Knepp, Stephen B. Martin, Jack Pretty, Matthew G. Duling, Elizabeth D. Arnold, Zachary Wilson, Benjamin Krider, Alyson R. Fortner, Ryan F. LeBouf, M. Abbas Virji, Arif Sirinterlikci. Towards sustainable additive manufacturing: The need for awareness of particle and vapor releases during polymer recycling, making filament, and fused filament fabrication 3-D printing. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2022, 176 , 105911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105911