AAAR 33rd Annual Conference
October 20 - October 24, 2014
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, Florida, USA
Abstract View
Emission Patterns of PM and UFP from 3D Printers
Scott Steady, Bill Hoffman, ELLIOTT HORNER, UL Environment
Abstract Number: 328 Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract The recognition that hardcopy devices (printers, copiers) are a source of fine and ultrafine particulate (UFP) matter (PM) led to testing standards which are now in wide use. PM emission levels are measured under standard conditions along with gaseous emissions, including ozone, VOCs and aldehydes. Emission levels must not exceed allowable limits in order to meet the testing standards, which are required in some jurisdictions or by some purchasers. The advent of 3D printing technology has introduced a new potential source of exposure in the indoor environment. The materials used (plastics) in 3D printers are also chemically different than the toners used in hardcopy devices and 3D print jobs will typically run much longer than hardcopy devices do. Further, 3D printers are being developed for consumer as well as commercial use and substantial markets are anticipated for these devices. Although these new products use different materials over longer times, yet in occupied spaces suggests that characterization of the PM emission patterns is needed. We have measured substantial amounts of UFP under some conditions but much lower emission patterns in some conditions. The effects of printing material and operating temperature on the emission pattern of the aerosol can be characterized with the environmental testing chamber technology that is used for standard testing of hardcopy devices. In addition to the emission patterns, the particle sizing spectrometer provides the ability to describe the aging pattern of the aerosol. This characterization of an emerging potential exposure will address the effects of printing material, operating temperature and duration of print job as well as describe basic aerosol aging patterns.