Three-Dimensional (3D) Printers in Libraries: Perspective and Preliminary Safety Analysis

Abstract

As an emerging technology, three-dimensional (3D) printing has gained much attention as a rapid prototyping and smallscale manufacturing technology around the world. In the changing scenario of library inclusion, Makerspaces are becoming a part of most public and academic libraries, and 3D printing is one of the technologies included in Makerspaces. Owing to the ease of availability and cost effectiveness, most libraries use fused-deposition-modeling-based 3D printers compatible with plastic printing materials, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). During the printing, PLA and ABS emit ultrafine particles (UFPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may deteriorate the indoor air quality. In this article, first, we have discussed the background of 3D printing, the most common technologies used for 3D printing and printing materials, its applications in chemical education and sciences, as well as 3D printing health and safety concerns. Second, we measured and analyzed the number of UFPs (0.02−1.0 μm) in the 3D printing lab in a library and found that the number of particles/cubic centimeter significantly increased during the printing procedure (36−60 times) and does not return to baseline even 24 h after shutting down the printers. We also provide some recommendations that should be considered when hosting a 3D printing lab in libraries.

3D-Printed Lab-on-a-Chip Diagnostic Systems-Developing a Safe-by-Design Manufacturing Approach

“…It is interesting to note that this operation setup results in emission levels that exceed the relevant proposed exposure limit that corresponds to biopersistent nanoparticles (40,000 #/cm 3 ), and was also suggested by [86], to a substantial degree. The average UFP number concentration for three printers operating (39,400#/cm 3 ) approximated this threshold, while operation of four printers (52,760 #/cm 3 ) exceeded this exposure limit as well [90].…”

“…Bharti and Singh [90] studied the exposure potential of 3D printer use in libraries, where ventilation is not designed for 3D printer use, thus raising valid concerns about increased UFP count, inefficient removal, and the possible exposure for numerous individuals. The authors studied the emission characteristics resulting from the function of 5 non-enclosed 3D printers using PLA filament and default manufacturer print settings, within a~225 ft 2 room.…”

3D Printed Lab-on-a-Chip Diagnostic Systems - Developing a Safe-by-Design Manufacturing Approach

“…to a substantial degree. The average UFP number concentration for three printers operating (39,400#/cm 3 ) approximated this threshold, while operation of four printers (52,760 #/cm 3 ) exceeded this exposure limit as well [90].…”

“…Bharti & Singh [90] studied the exposure potential of 3D printer use in libraries, where ventilation is not designed for 3D printer use, thus raising valid concerns about increased UFP count, inefficient removal, and the possible exposure for numerous individuals. The authors studied the emission characteristics resulting from the function of 5 non-enclosed 3D printers using PLA filament and default manufacturer print settings, within a ∼225 ft 2 room.…”

Insights Into Emissions and Exposures From Use of Industrial-Scale Additive Manufacturing Machines

“…More specifically, these studies have focused on inexpensive desktop-scale printers using fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology (commonly referred to as “3-D printers”) which were placed in a chamber or small room to simulate a work environment. Studies of these desktop-scale FDM machines indicate that ultrafine particles (UFPs, diameter <100 nm) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released during printing [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27]. Emerging evidence indicates that UFP and VOC emissions could also occur during operation of industrial-scale material extrusion machines [3].…”