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Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

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Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#101

Post by sacrosancty »

Mountain_Skies wrote: post #73
bobbywilson0 wrote: post #52

I recently purchased a 3d printer, and I looked for articles talking about the risks associated with PLA fumes. This article[1] seems to be popularly cited, which includes the statement "PLA doesn’t look like a problem." I think this is what in my experience has been largely the sentiment when I have asked around, and read forum posts about the topic. At my local library there is a makerlab space, they are free to us…

IIRC, enclosures aren't common on consumer models because there's a patent on that design. Not sure if the patent has expired or not but with the trend already in motion, consumers are accustomed to open air printers. Printing the parts for an enclosure is also a good way to break in a new printer.

[dead]

Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#102

Post by ajsnigrutin »

fnordpiglet wrote: post #69

Actual study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b04168 It basically says PLA emits lactic acid and ABS a bunch of nastiness. There wasn’t much to indicate PLA emissions were particularly dangerous. That said, I’d not suggest locking yourself in a closet with your 3D printer. But given abs is full of nastiness and everything I’ve ever read about printing with it says it’s toxic and to ventilate, this article f…

In 3d printing circles and even 3d printer instruction manuals this has been written for years now... PLA is worse material (especially in regards for UV), but can be done inside, while ABS needs a heated surface and emits poisonous gasses so it should be done in separate ventilated areas (same for resin printers).

Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#105

Post by brewdad »

tarotuser wrote: post #28

This is NOT new news. Same discussion, from 2015 - https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/toxic-abs-pla-fumes-3dsa... And in 3d printing groups, it was common to hear people say "ABS smells like cancer". Sure, anecdotes aren't evidence proper, but the science certainly bears this claim. Edit: And to add my own anecdote, I have a large format high temp printer. It is capable of printing stuff like ultem (375c tip, 220c b…

It may not be "news" but seeing as 3D printing is still very much at the Eternal September stage of growth with many less technical owners entering the hobby, it's a very good idea to keep putting this information and any new knowledge out there.

Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#106

Post by martin_a »

Headline:

> Commercial 3D printers emit [...]

Next paragraph:

> [...] emitted from consumer-grade 3D printers

Now what? Commercial or Consumer devices? Sorry, can't take this really serious if there's a mistake like this directly in headline/teaser text.

Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#107

Post by imdsm »

asddubs wrote: post #98
iancmceachern wrote: post #88

Anytime you heat up plastic (melt it), or create a polymer from 2 parts (epoxy) there will be bad things released. This us fundamental to polymers. Check out all the urethane issues that early Disney imaganeers faced

do you have more info? I googled but didn't find anything relevant

[flagged]

Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#108

Post by amelius »

alonmower wrote: post #100

I bought a combo laser cutter/3D printer a while back and ended up putting an enclosure around it and a dedicated dryer vent in my garage wall with a blower fan attached to it so the whole thing is at negative pressure. Few hundred dollars an a couple of hours of my life but I feel a lot more confident using it now. I mostly did this because of the laser cutter (plywood can let out some horrible smells when cut), but…

> I know PLA is considered 'safe'

But the article says:

> The toxicity tests showed that PLA particles were more toxic than the ABS particles on a per-particle comparison, but because the printers emitted so much more of the ABS - it’s the ABS emissions that end up being more of the concern

which is not very reassuring either way.

Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#109

Post by Groxx »

I have yet to see one that doesn't have clear claims otherwise, so this doesn't seem too surprising.

Check your MSDS. Even the community-perceived-as-safe PLA is pretty clear about recommending "local exhaust ventilation", which is quite a step up from "opened a window".

Re: Commercial 3D printers emit traces of toxic fumes, study finds (2019)

#110

Post by aidenn0 »

bgirard wrote: post #32
yreg wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

LASER cutting is also melting (and evaporating) chemicals.

Isn't cooking also cutting, melting, and evaporating chemicals? These definitions are overly broad. Isn't this how California ended up with Prop 65?

And I have an exhaust hood over my cooking range, so I think it's fine?
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