Are FDM and Resin 3D Printing Fumes Dangerous? (yes)

As the popularity of 3D printing grows due to creation of desktop Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers and Resin 3D printers, more and more people are being exposed to the fumes given off by filaments used. Whether it’s at home printing, educational labs, or small business print shops, many individuals and their loved ones have worried about their exposure to these fumes. Some 3D Printer users may have noticed having headaches or even mild respiratory issues, and wondered if they were related to their exposure to the fumes. In short, there is indeed reason to worry. Resin Printers use liquid resins and the FDM 3D printers use filaments that are known to emit toxic fumes when used. In fact, many liquid resins contain warning labels about the toxicity of the resins. There are two main types of hazardous emissions, ultrafine particles - emitted by FDM printers - and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - emitted by both FDM and Resin printers . Both present their own dangers to humans.

Ultrafine Particles - The Invisible Enemy

Regardless of the type of filament used, all filaments emit ultrafine particles (or nanoparticles), which are particles smaller than 0.1 microns. For a sense of scale here, that’s about 1/1000th width of a strand of hair. Essentially these particles are invisible to the human eye, but they are harmful. Ultrafine particles are small enough that they are able to be absorbed by the cells that line your lungs. While some fine particles can also be absorbed by your lungs, ultrafine particles have the extra toxic ability to diffuse through the initial lining of cells and continue to be absorbed deeper down into your other organs (potentially even your brain!). Ultimately, ultrafine particles can cause inflammation of the lungs leading to bronchitis and asthma, as well as potentially impact your cardiovascular system. Lastly, there is some correlation found that led scientists to believe the inhalation of ultrafine particles is potentially cancerous.

Volatile Organic Compounds - From Irritation to Cancer

Depending on the filament type used, there are three types of VOCs emitted when printing: Caprolactam, Styrene, and Formaldehyde. PETG and nylon filaments are known to emit caprolactam that, while not known as carcinogenic, can cause headaches, burning of your eyes and throat, confusion, and even damage to your skin. Printing with ABS and nylon produce styrene, a toxic gas that can cause nausea, headaches, and fatigue. Furthermore, styrene is also suspected to be carcinogenic by scientists. Lastly, ABS is known to produce formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that causes irritation of the eye, nose and throat, and coughing or a choking sensation if exposed to dangerous levels for longer periods.

Resin printers use SLA (stereolithography) and DLP (digital light processing) liquid resins produce strong odors and toxic VOCs when they cure and can cause irritation when inhaled. Most resins contain warnings regarding the toxicity of the resins. SLA is even considered more toxic than FDM filaments. As you can see, these are all seriously adverse toxins that can create serious complications to your health.

Staying safe

Now that you know the dangers posed by 3D Printer fumes, how can you ensure that you stay safe? First and foremost, make sure you are printing in a well ventilated area. Industrial settings usually have greater ventilation through advanced HVAC systems, while homes have far less ventilation. If you’re printing at home, open your windows, use fans, or anything else to ensure fumes are moving out of your home. You should be especially wary if you have pregnant women or children in your home. Lastly, if you are interested in printing safely in common areas (home office, garage, etc.), consider using the makergadgets Professor 3D Printer Enclosure with our 2 Phase Air Purification system to ensure you keep yourself and others safe.