Characterization of Ultrafine Particles and VOCs Emitted from a 3D Printer. 2021

Sarka Bernatikova, and Ales Dudacek, and Radka Prichystalova, and Vit Klecka, and Lucie Kocurkova
Department of Fire Protection, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, CZ708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Currently, widely available three-dimensional (3D) printers are very popular with the public. Previous research has shown that these printers can emit ultrafine particles (UFPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Several studies have examined the emissivity of filaments from 3D printing, except glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) and styrene free co-polyester (NGEN) filaments. The aim of this study was to evaluate UFP and VOC emissions when printing using a commonly available 3D printer (ORIGINAL PRUSA i3 MK2 printer) using PETG and NGEN. The concentrations of UFPs were determined via measurements of particle number concentration and size distribution. A thermal analysis was carried out to ascertain whether signs of fiber decomposition would occur at printing temperatures. The total amount of VOCs was determined using a photoionization detector, and qualitatively analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The total particle concentrations were 3.88 × 1010 particles for PETG and 6.01 × 109 particles for NGEN. VOCs at very low concentrations were detected in both filaments, namely ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene. In addition, styrene was identified in PETG. On the basis of our results, we recommend conducting additional measurements, to more accurately quantify personal exposure to both UFPs and VOCs, focusing on longer exposure as it can be a source of potential cancer risk.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D016902 Air Pollution, Indoor The contamination of indoor air. Air Quality, Indoor,Indoor Air Pollution,Indoor Air Quality,Pollution, Indoor Air
D052638 Particulate Matter Particles of any solid substance, generally under 30 microns in size, often noted as PM30. There is special concern with PM1 which can get down to PULMONARY ALVEOLI and induce MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION and PHAGOCYTOSIS leading to FOREIGN BODY REACTION and LUNG DISEASES. Ultrafine Fiber,Ultrafine Fibers,Ultrafine Particle,Ultrafine Particles,Ultrafine Particulate Matter,Air Pollutants, Particulate,Airborne Particulate Matter,Ambient Particulate Matter,Fiber, Ultrafine,Particle, Ultrafine,Particles, Ultrafine,Particulate Air Pollutants,Particulate Matter, Airborne,Particulate Matter, Ambient,Particulate Matter, Ultrafine
D055549 Volatile Organic Compounds Organic compounds that have a relatively high VAPOR PRESSURE at room temperature. Volatile Organic Compound,Compound, Volatile Organic,Compounds, Volatile Organic,Organic Compound, Volatile,Organic Compounds, Volatile
D020058 Styrene A colorless, toxic liquid with a strong aromatic odor. It is used to make rubbers, polymers and copolymers, and polystyrene plastics. Styrene Monomer,Styrol,Vinylbenzene,Monomer, Styrene
D066330 Printing, Three-Dimensional Process for making, building or constructing a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model by laying down many successive thin layers of building material. 3-D Printing,3-Dimensional Printing,3D Printing,Three-Dimensional Printing,3 D Printing,3 Dimensional Printing,3-D Printings,3-Dimensional Printings,3D Printings,Printing, 3-D,Printing, 3-Dimensional,Printing, 3D,Printing, Three Dimensional,Printings, 3-D,Printings, 3-Dimensional,Printings, 3D,Printings, Three-Dimensional,Three Dimensional Printing,Three-Dimensional Printings

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