Health risks of ABS FDM (3d printing)

[jamesson]

TL;DR Summary

How well understood are health risks of inhaled byproducts of 3d printing? Can they be mitigated with proper exhaust systems?

This is not the first study I've seen discussing potential risks of FDM airborne byproducts. It's the reason I bought a fully enclosed unit. However, it's in my home which at the moment is extremely small. It's less than a meter away from both my workbench and my sleeping area. While the unit is fully enclosed, the enclosure is not airtight or exhausted, much less filtered.

1) From what I understand, the only known risk is posed by ABS. Is the risk negligible for other materials? If not, which materials are also risky?

2) Is it technically and financially (max budget $500) feasible to try to design a filtered exhaust system? Would activated charcoal filters, for example, of the type used in soldering fume extractors, be effective?

3) For both filtered and unfiltered exhausts, what is a sane design parameter for flow rate in cm^3/min?

4) Again, given a budget of $500, is it feasible to design an electronic detector for byproducts of one or more mediums?

Many thanks in advance for any help

Joe

 

[Baluncore]

1) From what I understand, the only known risk is posed by ABS. Is the risk negligible for other materials? If not, which materials are also risky?

Assume all materials have an associated risk. Research those you might use.

2) Is it technically and financially (max budget $500) feasible to try to design a filtered exhaust system? Would activated charcoal filters, for example, of the type used in soldering fume extractors, be effective?

Yes. But do you want to vent externally or recirculate the air? A charcoal filter is really only needed if you recirculate the air. You will also need to change the filter regularly.

4) Again, given a budget of $500, is it feasible to design an electronic detector for byproducts of one or more mediums?

Maybe an optical laser, monitor the back scatter.
You must characterise the material you are trying to detect.

 

[theycallmevirgo]

Thanks for your advice, I accidentally posted this under an old account because I was tired. So, in terms of displacement for an exhausted system, you don't think you can give a value of cm^3/min without knowing rate of production of byproduct?

 

[Baluncore]

There are simply too many parameters and possibilities. What quality feed? How many kg per hour? As the article you linked summed it up...
"These risks are manageable, but the only way we can protect ourselves is to know they exist. The authors are confident that 3D printing will continue to enjoy wider popularity in the future, so more in-depth research is needed to uncover all sides of the story in order to make the most of it while keeping people and the environment healthy and safe."

 

[russ_watters]

So, in terms of displacement for an exhausted system, you don't think you can give a value of cm^3/min without knowing rate of production of byproduct?

As he said, if you are exhausting the air, you don't need to know anything about what is in it, because you won't be breathing it. All you need is enough to keep the enclosure negatively pressurized.

But you've said nothing at all specific here, so we can't even guess how much airflow you'd need. And as @Baluncore said, the first thing you need to do is determine if there is any risk. That part's free, it just takes a little effort. Start by finding out what materials you are using and look for MSDS sheets for them.