Journal of Industrial Ecology
Journal of Industrial Ecology
5 years ago

Predicting Concentrations of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds Resulting from Desktop 3D Printer Operation and the Impact of Potential Control Strategies

Torkan Fazli, Brent Stephens, Parham Azimi
Recent studies have shown that potentially hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) are emitted from many desktop three-dimensional printer and filament combinations. We use recently published measurements of UFP and speciated VOC emission rates from a number of desktop 3D printers and filaments to predict the magnitudes of human exposures to airborne pollutants that would be expected in multiple locations within a typical small office environment. We also model the impacts of several control strategies for reducing occupational exposures. Results demonstrate that UFP and VOC concentrations within close or moderate proximity (i.e., within 3 and 3 to 18 meters, respectively) to some desktop 3D printer and filament combinations with the highest emissions can exceed recommended exposure levels (RELs) for some VOCs and typical indoor concentrations for both UFPs and VOCs. Concentrations of caprolactam within close proximity to a printer using some nylon-based filaments are predicted to exceed both acute and chronic RELs set by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. UFP concentrations are predicted to reach as high as 80,000 particles per cubic centimeter in close proximity to the highest emitting printer and filament combinations. The printer and filament combinations with the lowest UFP and VOC emission rates are not expected to yield concentrations at levels of concern. The most effective control strategies for reducing both UFP and VOC concentrations included installing a high-flow spot ventilation system and operating the printer in a sealed enclosure with high-efficiency gas and particle filtration.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12578

You might also like
Discover & Discuss Important Research

Keeping up-to-date with research can feel impossible, with papers being published faster than you'll ever be able to read them. That's where Researcher comes in: we're simplifying discovery and making important discussions happen. With over 19,000 sources, including peer-reviewed journals, preprints, blogs, universities, podcasts and Live events across 10 research areas, you'll never miss what's important to you. It's like social media, but better. Oh, and we should mention - it's free.

  • Download from Google Play
  • Download from App Store
  • Download from AppInChina

Researcher displays publicly available abstracts and doesn’t host any full article content. If the content is open access, we will direct clicks from the abstracts to the publisher website and display the PDF copy on our platform. Clicks to view the full text will be directed to the publisher website, where only users with subscriptions or access through their institution are able to view the full article.