3D Printers Dangerous? New Study Says Particulates Emitted by Devices Toxic

new study says 3d printer particles embed in people's lungs

Hobbyists take note - If you're using a 3D printer to create Warhammer 40K figurines or toy Millennium Falcons, you should make sure it's located in a well-ventilated room. According to a new study, 3D printers release tiny, nearly-undetectable materials that may be toxic and could even embed themselves in your body permanently. 

The study, published in Aerosol Science and Technology, was overseen by Georgia Tech professor Dr. Rodney Weber, and is part of a broader collection of research that seeks to standardize the way particulates emitted by 3D printers are measured. The hope is that companies will one day be able to certify some of their 3D printers and components as healthier than others on the markets. 

One of the first things Weber's team discovered was, every 3D printer they tested emitted some particles into the air. The team was even able to detect particulates from industrial models that appear to be sealed and often have fans and filters. 

The problem is the particles themselves. They measured particulates as small as 100 microns (or 1/1000th the width of a human hair). 

The second thing the team realized was that the filaments used in the production for 3D printed objects varied widely in what chemicals or particles they would release. Depending on the brand, even if the toxic chemical is a tiny part of the filament, it can still be released in significant quantities in the home. 

Another thing the team found was that the cooler a 3D printer ran, the better the air quality was around it. The temperature at which the filament was heated mattered quite a bit on which chemicals became aerosol. 

Because 3D printers are often used in public spaces and personal residences, the general public and particularly susceptible populations, such as children, can be exposed to high concentrations of non-engineered nanoparticles of potential toxicity.

So does that mean you should run out and throw away your 3D printer? Not necessarily, says Dr. Weber. 

“I wouldn’t say it’s terrifying because you get exposed to these particles all the time from roadway emissions–like diesel cars. It’s not like 3D printers create the only nanoparticles in the world,” Weber told the Fast Company website. “It’s just that it’s unregulated and people haven’t thought about it much.”

"To be honest, I wouldn’t be too concerned as long as you have good ventilation,” he adds. "That’s what it comes down to. If you have a bunch of printers in one room like a classroom, you walk in and can smell plastic, then I’d be concerned about it.

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content