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Marilyn Black, Ph.D., Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
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Qian Zhang, Georgia Institute of Technology
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Jenny Wong, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology
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Rodney Weber, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology
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3D printers are used in various applications, by designers and students for their inventions, as well as industrial, medical, and residential purposes. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is the most common type of desktop 3D printers, where a coil of thermoplastic filament is heated as it extrudes from a nozzle to a moving platform, building the object layer by layer. 3D printers may emit toxic gases and particulates that deteriorate indoor air quality, especially since they are typically operated indoors for hours at a time. Currently, little is known about desktop 3D printer emissions. We have developed a methodology for characterizing and quantifying emissions from an operating 3D printer. The protocol measures for fine particulate and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations over time to determine emission factors and human exposure potentials. Chemical composition and toxicity of raw filaments as well as emitted particulates were also examined. Early findings indicate that 3D printers can be a significant source of indoor air pollution. A review of particulate and VOC emissions from 3D printers using various filaments will be presented. Key factors that influence the emissions and healthier alternatives for consumers will be identified. Implications of this study towards establishing compliance standards for 3D printers and its filaments will be presented.
