Characterization of Ultrafine Particles and VOCs Emitted from a 3D Printer

Sarka Bernatikova, Ales Dudacek, Radka Prichystalova, Vit Klecka and Lucie Kocurkova
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Sarka Bernatikova: Department of Fire Protection, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB—Technical University of Ostrava, CZ708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Ales Dudacek: Department of Fire Protection, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB—Technical University of Ostrava, CZ708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Radka Prichystalova: Department of Occupational and Process Safety, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB—Technical University of Ostrava, CZ708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Vit Klecka: Department of Fire Protection, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB—Technical University of Ostrava, CZ708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Lucie Kocurkova: Department of Occupational and Process Safety, Faculty of Safety Engineering, VSB—Technical University of Ostrava, CZ708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: Currently, widely available three-dimensional (3D) printers are very popular with the public. Previous research has shown that these printers can emit ultrafine particles (UFPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Several studies have examined the emissivity of filaments from 3D printing, except glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) and styrene free co-polyester (NGEN) filaments. The aim of this study was to evaluate UFP and VOC emissions when printing using a commonly available 3D printer (ORIGINAL PRUSA i3 MK2 printer) using PETG and NGEN. The concentrations of UFPs were determined via measurements of particle number concentration and size distribution. A thermal analysis was carried out to ascertain whether signs of fiber decomposition would occur at printing temperatures. The total amount of VOCs was determined using a photoionization detector, and qualitatively analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The total particle concentrations were 3.88 × 10 10 particles for PETG and 6.01 × 10 9 particles for NGEN. VOCs at very low concentrations were detected in both filaments, namely ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene. In addition, styrene was identified in PETG. On the basis of our results, we recommend conducting additional measurements, to more accurately quantify personal exposure to both UFPs and VOCs, focusing on longer exposure as it can be a source of potential cancer risk.

Keywords: ultrafine particles; 3D printing; VOCs; exposure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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