Danielle A Baguley, Gareth S Evans, Delphine Bard, Paul S Monks, Rebecca L Cordell
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a technique by which materials are continually added in layers to form structures. The technique has grown in popularity over the past decade and affordable desktop 3D printers are now widely used in schools, universities, businesses, and hospitals.
Objective: Understanding the types of chemical emissions from these 3D printers and their potential health effects is essential to safely use this technology.
Methods: A scoping literature review on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from resin-bed and filament 3D printers has been conducted. Most of the published research has focused on emissions from filament 3D printers.
Results: VOC emissions from resin 3D printers have been reported mostly as carbonyl compounds or methacrylate monomers. Filament VOC emissions are more varied in composition reflecting the constituents in the filaments used in this printer. The published research reported that the airborne concentrations of specific VOCs from 3D desktop printers fell below the HSE British workplace exposure limits (WELs). This may suggest that VOC emissions from these printers do not present a risk to occupational health. However, caution is required in reaching this conclusion because most of these studies quantified specific VOC emissions using methods different to those required by workplace regulatory standards. Other exposure circumstances, such as the effect of total VOC emissions, need to be considered, particularly for vulnerable groups, including individuals with respiratory disease, the elderly, or young children. Variables that could increase exposure and risks to health include long print times, multiple 3D printers, and poor ventilation. Research on the VOC emissions from resin 3D printers is required using experimental emission chambers.
Impact: The research discussed in this review focused on VOC emissions from desktop 3D printers and the potential health impacts associated with exposure to these compounds. The review identifies circumstances when people may be exposed to 3D printer emissions for which no regulatory exposure limits apply. This circumstance is especially relevant to people working in small businesses and organisations and to vulnerable people, such as the young, elderly and those with pre-existing lung disease. Raising awareness of these potential health concerns from 3D printer emissions can help to inform actions to mitigate exposure, through policy and behavioural changes, as well as engineering control measures. To our knowledge, this is the first review discussing studies of VOC emission from resin and popular filament 3D printers, including exposure risks and health outcomes.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology (JESEE) aims to be the premier and authoritative source of information on advances in exposure science for professionals in a wide range of environmental and public health disciplines.
JESEE publishes original peer-reviewed research presenting significant advances in exposure science and exposure analysis, including development and application of the latest technologies for measuring exposures, and innovative computational approaches for translating novel data streams to characterize and predict exposures. The types of papers published in the research section of JESEE are original research articles, translation studies, and correspondence. Reported results should further understanding of the relationship between environmental exposure and human health, describe evaluated novel exposure science tools, or demonstrate potential of exposure science to enable decisions and actions that promote and protect human health.