Abstract
This study investigates nanoparticle emission during 3D printing processes, assessing various filament materials’ impact on air quality. Commonly used 3D printers, including both filament and resin-based types, were examined. The study’s scope encompasses diverse filament materials like ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PLA (polylactic acid), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), PP (polypropylene), nylon, and wood-based variants, alongside three types of resins. The research delves into the relationship between the type of material and nanoparticle emissions, emphasizing temperature’s pivotal role. Measurement instruments were employed for nanoparticle quantification, including an engine exhaust particle sizer spectrometer, condensation particle counter, and nanozen dust counters. Notably, results reveal substantial variations in nanoparticle emissions among different filament materials, with ASA, TPU, PP, and ABS showing considerably elevated emission levels and characteristic particle size distribution patterns. The findings prompt practical recommendations for reducing nanoparticle exposure, emphasizing printer confinement, material selection, and adequate ventilation. This study offers insights into potential health risks associated with 3D printing emissions and provides a basis for adopting preventive measures.
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Abbreviations
- ABS :
-
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- ASA :
-
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
- BIM :
-
Building information modeling
- CPC :
-
Condensation particle counter
- EEPS :
-
Engine exhaust particle sizer
- HSE :
-
Health and Safety Executive
- IFA :
-
Institut für Arbeitsschutz
- INS :
-
Instituto Nacional de Silicosis
- INSST :
-
Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo
- PETG :
-
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol
- PLA :
-
Polylactic acid
- PNC :
-
Particle number concentration
- PP :
-
Polypropylene
- PSD :
-
Particle size distribution
- TPU :
-
Thermoplastic polyurethane
- UFP :
-
Ultrafine particles
- VOCs :
-
Volatile organic compounds
- WHO :
-
World Health Organizations
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Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Instituto Nacional de Silicosis (INS) and Fundación Prevent for their generous support throughout this research endeavor. Additionally, we would like to express our appreciation to the HUCA library for their invaluable assistance in providing access to essential reference materials and information, which greatly enriched the quality of this study.
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This research was funded by Fundación PREVENT in the Fundación Prevent 2021 R&D awards.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Hector Garcia-Gonzalez and Maria Teresa Lopez-Pola. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Hector Garcia-Gonzalez, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Garcia-Gonzalez, H., Lopez-Pola, M.T. Unlocking the nanoparticle emission potential: a study of varied filaments in 3D printing. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 31188–31200 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33257-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33257-2