Abstract View
Particle Emissions from Fused Filament Fabrication 3D Printers and Their Impacts on Indoor Air Quality in School Environments
QIAN ZHANG, Aika Davis, Marilyn Black, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Abstract Number: 121
Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract
Material extrusion fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers with thermoplastics as print materials have been widely used in school environments. However, studies have shown that FFF 3D printing emits high levels of ultrafine and fine particles, which could deteriorate indoor air quality and adversely affect human health, especially for susceptible population like children. This study aims at understanding particle emissions from 3D printers used in school environments, estimating their effects in classroom air quality and occupants, and suggesting mitigating strategies if needed. Particle emissions from various commonly used print materials will be characterized by concentration levels and size distributions, in different school classroom settings. Air quality in classrooms with 3D printers will be compared to controlled classrooms without 3D printers to evaluate the effects of 3D printing. Field measured results in this study will be compared to model estimated exposure levels with classroom conditions and the emission results obtained from a chamber study. The potential health impacts associated with particles will also be discussed.