Fact Sheet & Guide

DESCRIPTION extruder temperature and specific design of the Until recently, 3D printing was primarily associated printer. These tiny particles can be inhaled with the high-tech and manufacturing industries. deeply into the lungs. The long-term health Now, it is being rapidly incorporated into higher effects are not yet understood. education programs. This raises concerns since the • Chemical Inhalation - Heating plastics can potential hazards associated with 3D printing are not generate chemical vapors including styrene, always taken into consideration. Common concerns acrylonitrile, formaldehyde and many others. include insufficient ventilation and chemical safety. The chemicals released primarily depends on the media. agents such as cyanoacrylate, can create potentially hazardous vapors. • Chemical Contact - Chemical rinse baths, typically containing caustic sodium hydroxide, are used to dissolve binders. Direct contact can be hazardous to the eyes and skin. • Fire - Malfunctions of the heated build platform, printer nozzles or internal electrical components can result in fire.

COMMON TYPES OF 3D PRINTERS • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)/Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) - A plastic filament is heated to a semi-liquid state and deposited in layers on a build platform to create an object. This is the most common 3D printing technology used at Penn.

• (SLA) - Liquid Photo Credit – hackaday.com is deposited in layers to create an object. • Physical Injury - Injuries can occur though Each layer is cured using an (UV) contact or pinching between moving parts of the laser or digital processing lamp. printer. • Selectiver Laser (SLS) - Thin layers of powder are deposited on a build GENERAL SAFETY platform. A laser fuses the powder in the shape • NRTL Listing/Labeling Requirement - 3D of the object. printers must be listed or labeled by a • Binder Jetting - A print head deposits powder Nationally-Recognized Testing Laboratory onto a build platform to create an object. A (NRTL). This is required by workplace electrical liquid bonding agent (i.e., a glue) is applied to safety standards and fire codes. The purpose is bond the particle layers together. to ensure that the printer has been tested through • Material Jetting - A print head deposts various failure modes and shown to be safe for photopolymer resin on a build platform to create use. Common examples of NRTLs are UL, an object. The resin is cured and solidified using TUV, CSA, ETL and FM. Note: CE is not a UV light. NRTL. Many popular consumer grade 3D printers do not carry a NRTL listing/labeling 3D PRINTING HAZARDS and are not appropriate for use at Penn. Be sure • Particulate Inhalation - FDM/FFF printing is to confirm prior to purchase. The following link known to generate ultra-fine nanoscale particles. contains information on OSHA NRTLs. The amount varies by the type of filament, https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/nrtllist.html

(215) 898-4453 Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) www.ehrs.upenn.edu Rev. 09/20 js

3D Printing Fact Sheet & Guide

• Chemicals - Evaluate the chemicals required for hour is recommended. This ventilation rate can production and post processing. Appropriate be reduced if there is a provision for connecting chemical storage must be provided for the stock enclosed printers to a dedicated exhaust or a and waste. Contact EHRS for all chemical HEPA/carbon filtration system. disposal, including expired base baths. Obtain • 3D printing processes where chemicals such as and review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the cyanoacrylate are used, may necessitate feed stock and chemicals used for printing and additional ventilation requirements, including processing. dedicated exhaust. • Electrical - 3D printers and related equipment must be connected directly to an electrical PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT receptacle. Electrical components such as build • Personal protective equipment (PPE) will vary platform heaters may not be modified. with the type of printing and post processing. • Unattended Operation - 3D printers may not be The following PPE may be required: run unattended, including overnight. Plan the o Lab coat - Required when there is start of print operations accordingly. potential for contact with chemicals. • Emergency Irrigation - Appropriate emergency o Gloves - Required for chemical work irrigation equipment, such as an eyewash or including cyanoacrylate, sodium drench hose, must be available where hazardous hydroxide base bath or alcohol. Review chemicals are used. the chemical safety data sheet (SDS) or contact EHRS for consultation on glove VENTILATION GUIDELINES selection. • 3D printers should only be operated in well o Eye protection – Goggles, and possibly ventilated areas. The ventilation rates of offices, a face shield, must be worn for libraries and general classrooms are typically not protection from chemical splash sufficient to remove contaminants generated by hazards. Safety glasses must be worn for 3D printing. scraping or other mechanical work • A single desktop FDM/FFF printer using PLA where particulates may be created. filament is permitted in an average size room, o Respiratory protection - Not required. office or classroom. Consult with EHRS if more General ventilation and exhaust must be than a single printer is desired or a different print used to control airborne exposure to media such as ABS will be used. EHRS will chemicals and particulates. Contact evaluate the ventilation and provide EHRS if you believe respiratory recommendations for safe use. protection is needed.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS • Follow operator’s manuals for the specific printer and processing equipment. • Develop standard operating procedures for each printing process and ensure that all users are trained on it. • Log into Knowledge Link and complete Penn’s Hazard Communication Training-EHRS.

RESOURCES Example of exhausted enclosure. • NIOSH Science Blog – Characterizing 3D Printing Emissions and Controls in an Office • In new facilities or where there is a desire to Environment have multiple printers in one location, a general • ventilation rate of at least six (6) air changes per NIOSH – Filament Printing Safety Poster (215) 898-4453 Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) www.ehrs.upenn.edu Rev. 09/20 js