Appendix A
Safety Concerns
As with any new tool that uses unfamiliar materials, safety is a concern. Research as much as you can on each material you choose and err on the side of caution – especially when using experimental and new materials. The suggestions below are no substitute for manufacturer’s recommendations or scientific research on safety. Consult each material’s Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and any relevant studies for the proper safety precautions.
“3D issues are the same as with all new technologies. Toxicity testing is never done unless and until there are obvious problems documented in users…. I recommend enclosure and exhaust for 3D printers.” 127
Monona Rossol, President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc. Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
Ventilation
With all filament choices, full ventilation is recommended. Even the seemingly safe bioplastics may have unexpected adverse health effects when heated to a molten state. At this time of print, no long-term studies have been conducted regarding permissible chemical exposure limits in the air. However, a study by Illinois Institute of Technology likens the rate of emission of harmful ultrafine particles, or UFPs, to that of “cooking on a gas or electric stove and smoking a cigarette indoors.” The study advises consumers to “exercise caution when operating 3D printers in ‘inadequately ventilated or unfiltered indoor environments.’”128 Excess inhalation or ingestion of UFPs can lead to adverse health effects.129
Position your printer near a window or build a gas and particle ventilation or fume extraction system around it. Choose a system that minimizes drafts and airflow, which may cool prints too quickly and cause warping. Air purifiers with toxin filters (that eliminate VOCs) may also help in enclosed quarters. For extremely unfamiliar materials a respirator is recommended.
In addition, when sanding your print wear a dust mask. Dust particles from printed materials can be an irritant, similar to common materials like wood. (Sensitive individuals may benefit from a dust mask or respirator for any manipulation of your print, such as trimming supports, melting, or reshaping your object.)
How Toxic are ABS and PLA Fumes? 3DSafety.org Examines Vocs.
Excerpts originally posted on 3dprintingindustry.com:
“Not only ABS, but also PLA, may release toxic fumes known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Carbon). Not all VOCs are actually toxic, but some may be, especially for younger users.
The lab tests showed that ABS is significantly more toxic than PLA, but that the corn-based polymer is not exempt from dangerous emissions, especially if extruded at temperatures higher than 200°C. Furthermore (as may be expected), the same material spools, when acquired from different resellers, release very different quantities of VOCs, even if used in the same 3D printer and under the same parameters of speed and temperature.
A second critical aspect is that relating to the emission of nanoparticles, that is, particles with a diameter smaller than .1 micron, which can be absorbed directly by the pulmonary alveolus and the epidermis. In this case, the emissions, when using ABS, vary from 3 to 30 times those that occur when using PLA filament. The test also demonstrated that the time necessary for the nanoparticle concentration in the air to go back to standard levels was between 10 and 30 minutes after the extrusion processes stopped.
Among the effects that the absorption of toxic VOCs and nanoparticles can cause to humans, the most common are pulmonary pathologies, such as bronchitis, tracheitis, and asthma. In some cases, these substances can also cause certain types of cancers, so this is not something to be taken lightly. The solution, however, is not too complicated.
For example, working in well ventilated rooms: the ideal solution would be using an air ventilation system capable of moving three times the room’s volume of air in one hour. This means that a room measuring 100 cubic meters should have a system capable of displacing 300 cubic meters of air in one hour. When using closed-chamber 3D printers, it may be possible in the near future to implement an active carbon filtration device.
Certainly, this does not mean we should all just stop using 3D printers. However, dealing with the potential health risks of 3D printing materials early is the best way to make sure this technology evolves in a way that we can maximize its benefits and limit any risks involved.” 130
Burns
Keep hands away from the inside of the printer any time it is heating up, printing, or cooling down. The extruder, the heated build plate, and the extruded filament get to unfathomably hot temperatures – often far past the boiling point of water. In order to keep your hands at a safe distance, use tweezers to pull away any extraneous filament left on the extruder and build plate. Unless you know your print is cool, do not grab it immediately after printing. Store burn cream and a small first aid kit near the printer in case of accidental burns.
Skin and Bodily Contact
Avoid skin contact with items such as resins, super-strength adhesives, and chemical baths for use with dissolvable materials like limonene. Read the safety instructions and SDS for recommended glove specifications. Do not eat in the room while handling materials and wash your hands before eating.
If using an SLA printer avoid getting the UV-curable resin in your eyes. It may cause excessive tearing, itching, irritation, blinking, and redness. Seek medical attention and flush eyes immediately for 20 minutes before moving into the sun.
Food Safety
Most consumer 3D printing materials have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not considered food or medical grade safe (although specifically food safe PLA and PET does exist). Although some materials (especially bioplastics) are nontoxic, the other parts of the printer through which they are extruded are not. For example, some nozzles may contain lead. Switch to a stainless steel hot end to avoid this issue.
Printed objects inherently have small cracks and crevices where food and saliva can get caught, causing bacteria to grow. Keep this in mind and avoid prints such as vampire teeth or specialty prop goblets used for liquid consumption onstage. As an alternative, food safe epoxy or sealants, like polyurethane, can be used to seal the object. After sealing, wash the print with antibacterial soap and warm water.
Petroleum-based filament, such as ABS, also contains toxic chemicals that can leach into the food and your mouth. PLA may include other additives (color, for instance) that may be unsafe to ingest. Check your filament manufacturer’s SDS for precise information.
Furthermore, 3D prints are not dishwasher safe – especially for the most common materials like ABS and PLA. Not only will your print deform and warp, but it may also ruin your dishwasher.
Flammability
Flammable substances, such as acetone, spray paint, rubbing alcohol, and the like should be properly stored in an approved flammables cabinet. Keep the containers closed when not in use to avoid spills and minimize exposure. Do not use any of these volatile items near open flame. Use only in well-ventilated areas.
Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations closely with all flammable materials.
Disposal
Follow proper disposal instructions for all materials to assure personal safety and environmental protection. For example, do not wash ABS slurry or acetone down the sink drain. Modern plumbing uses ABS as a primary building material; therefore, your ABS slurry and acetone may eat away at the pipes.
Check your filament’s recycling code for proper disposal.
Attendance
Never leave your 3D printer unattended while in use – whether heating up, printing, or cooling down. At the very least, some printers have an integral camera system that allows remote monitoring. Even with remote surveillance, do not be further than a brisk walk from your printer. At this point in time consumer-grade machines are not considered reliable enough to be completely safe on their own. Left alone they may pose a fire hazard if extreme problems occur.
As with any electrical equipment, especially that which contains heating elements like your 3D printer, there is some risk of fire.… Fitting a smoke alarm in the same room and having a fire extinguisher handy would also be a very good idea; you can use dry powder [extinguisher] but this can damage delicate electronics, so CO2 is probably best for our purposes. 131
Never leave children and pets unsupervised around any operating 3D printer. Assure that fingers, hands, long hair, and other loose items keep away from the printer while it is printing. The mechanical parts are not programmed to stop if anything gets in its way. These printers have enough torque to easily trap fingers and cause bodily harm.