Abstract No:
1718
Abstract Type:
Professional Poster
Authors:
A Stefaniak1
Institutions:
1NIOSH, N/A
Presenter:
Aleksandr Stefaniak, Ph.D., CIH
NIOSH
Description:
This poster presents a systematic evaluation of factors that influence particle and organic gas emissions from resin-based 3-dimensional printers.
Situation / Problem:
Liquid resins used for 3-dimensional (3D) printing contain hazardous ingredients with known propensity to cause respiratory irritation and/or systemic sensitization when inhaled. The extent to which these ingredients become airborne during the printing process and the factors that influence these emissions is poorly understood. Improved understanding of emissions and the factors that drive them are critical for science-based decision making on how to implement controls to reduce relevant hazards.
Methods:
This work evaluated the hypotheses that 3D printer technology, resin color, and resin temperature influence emissions. Four vat photopolymerization (VP) 3D printers were evaluated, two that operated on the principle of digital light processing (DLP), designated A and B, and two that operated on the principle of liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, designated C and D. Up to three colors of resin (black, translucent green, and white) were used for printing. An after-market resin heater was used to test the influence of resin temperature on emissions. Particle- and gas-phase emissions were monitored in a 0.6 m3 stainless steel chamber using real-time monitors (particle number concentration and size; total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration) and time-integrated sampling techniques (acrylates, aldehydes, alkanes, aromatics). In the first experiment, all four printers were run using black resin and emissions compared within each printer type (DLP and LCD). In the second experiment, the higher emitting of each printer type was run using translucent green and white resins. In the final experiment, one LCD printer was run using translucent green resin heated to 32 °C. All emission results were expressed as yield (per g resin printed).
Results / Conclusions:
Particle number concentrations were often unchanged during print runs for all experiments. Levels of most alkanes and aromatics were below their respective analytical limits of detection. For the first experiment, between DLP printer models, emissions of acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, and propionaldehyde were significantly higher for printer A compared with printer B; all p<0.05. Between LCD printer models, emissions of propionaldehyde, cyclohexane, toluene, and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (2-HEA) were significantly higher for printer D compared with printer C; all p<0.05. Thus, printers A and D were used in the second experiment to assess whether emissions were influenced by resin color. In general, resin color had limited influence on emissions. For the last experiment, printer D was used to test the influence of resin temperature on emissions; only the TVOC and 2-HEA emission yields were significantly higher for the heated resin print runs compared with those performed at ambient resin temperature (p<0.05). In summary, we learned that printer technology, resin color, and resin temperature had limited influence on emissions of hazardous substances from DLP and LCD type 3D printers. Future studies could focus on other factors such as printer settings (e.g., laser power) and/or resin properties (e.g., viscosity), which might better inform emission reduction strategies.
Core Competencies:
Indoor Air Quality
Secondary Core Competencies:
Chemical Hazards
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Hearing conservation and noise reduction
Based on the selected primary competency area of your proposal, select one group below that would be best suited to serve as a subject matter expert for peer review:
(Select one)
Noise Committee
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Practitioner: Practitioner is a job title given to persons in various occupational fields who are trained to assist professionals but are not themselves licensed or certified at a professional level by a certification body recognized by the National Accreditation Recognition (NAR) Committee of IOHA. The IH/OH practitioner performs tasks requiring significant knowledge and skill in the IH/OH field, such as conducting worker exposure monitoring and, in some cases, may even function independently of a professional IH/OH but may not be involved in the breadth of IH/OH practice nor have the level of responsibility of a professional IH/OH certified by examination.
The IH/OH practitioner requires a certain level of education that can be obtained from an accredited university or equivalent. Additional training in specific skill sets that provide additional career paths to the IH/OH practitioner can also be obtained. IH/OH practitioners may also serve as team leaders or project managers.
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
No
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
This poster presentation will provide pragmatic information to IH practitioners on factors that influence the release of particles and gases from resin-based 3-D printers. The information will be useful when making decisions on procuring 3-D printers and/or safe use of existing printers already present in a workplace.
What level would you consider your presentation content geared towards?
Intermediate: Specific topics within a subject. The participant would have two (2) to ten (10) years experience in industrial hygiene or OEHS and a good understanding of the subject area, but not of the specific topic presented. Prerequisites required: another course, skill, or working knowledge of the general subject.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes