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By Danielle Baguley
Danielle is a PHD student at Leicester University, and is working with HSE on an investigation into the safety concerns related to using desktop 3D printers.
Why are desktop 3D printers used in education?
3D printers are a new technology that has been integrated into the education technology curriculum because of their application in teaching, engineering, materials science, design, art, fashion and even biomedicine. Their use in education has been helped by the manufacture of affordable desktop 3D printers of which at present there are two main types that either melt polymer filaments or polymerise objects within liquid resin beds.
The use of this technology has an important place in education, but it is important to ensure that any risks to the safety and health of users are considered. These risks can arise from accidents with the equipment, for example, burns or electrical shocks, from exposure to the stock chemicals used, emissions released during the printing process, or from handling the completed printed objects.
CLEAPSS, with support from HSE, has provided guidance for school staff on the safe use of 3D filament printers. It has been shown that 3D filament printers release large numbers of very small particles which are small enough to penetrate into the lungs. Some of the chemical compounds and particles identified are hazardous to human health if inhaled above certain concentrations for long enough, for example, formaldehyde. An additional concern we know less about is that 3D printers possibly release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are small organic chemicals already recognised as a contributor to poor air quality (e.g. paint fumes).
What are the safety and health risks for using desktop 3D printers?
It has been found that desktop 3D filament printers can release VOCs like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, styrene, acetone, methyl methacrylate, toluene, and acetonitrile during printing. Resin printers have been linked to the release of other VOCs such as hydroxypropyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, and acetone amongst others.
The effects of exposure to VOCs need to be considered in an educational context because of the established vulnerability of young children and adolescents particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, and other types of allergies as chemical exposure can exacerbate existing conditions. Therefore, it is particularly important for schools and colleges to ensure that desktop 3D printers can continue to be used in education based on knowledge about how to minimise these risks to the health of pupils and those staff that manage this equipment.
There are potential skin health risks, from touching/contacting the chemicals and solvents used in resin bed printers. These chemicals may physically damage the skin surface, irritate, and inflame the skin and in some individuals provoke allergic reactions in the skin.
For desktop 3D filament printers there is the potential for burn injuries from touching the printing heat nozzle, or the build plate, which can reach temperatures up to and above 250 and 80 °C respectively.
Additional hazards are associated with the post-processing of printed objects since this may require sanding the surface of the printed object, releasing particles and VOCs. Or washing them in alcohol, using UV light to cure the resin, the use of glues, and paints, and also melting and cutting to remove waste polymer. These post-processing tasks can add to the risk of exposure to chemicals and particles.
The use of 3D printers is increasing in multiple sectors, yet the impact of chemical and particulate exposures still needs to be assessed. This is why safety precautions need to be employed to reduce these exposures and limit the potential risk experienced by the individuals both using and those in the vicinity of, the printer.
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