The particles released during the printing process, which are small enough to infiltrate deep into … [+] Several new studies found that 3D printers emit toxic particles that may be harmful to humans.

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The studies, presented at the 2020 Society for Risk Analysis virtual Annual Meeting on December 15, showed that the particles released during the printing process can affect indoor air quality and public health. For the uninitiated, 3D printers typically work by melting plastic filaments or other base materials such as nanoparticles, metals, thermoplastics etc. and then stacking the melted materials layer upon layer to form an object. When the plastic or other base materials are heated to melt they release volatile compounds into the air near the printer and the object. The chemical by-products and particles that are released into the environment during the printing process can build up the longer the process takes and some are small enough that they can infiltrate the lungs, causing damage. The studies presented today at the meeting looked at various types of emissions and how great the risk is. For example, two of the studies from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analyzed the emissions from a 3D printer filament […]

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