3D Printing and Ventilation

snoobler · 2017-10-15T18:59:54.000Z

I love the smell of ABS in the morning. Enclosed Da Vinci “Turdmaker” 1.0A. I keep it in an unventilated 7x16’ utility room. The enclosure contains most of the smell. My purpose for getting this printer and printing in ABS resulted in about 160 hours of near non-stop ABS printing. I did not experience any negative physical effects during this period.

vprajapati · 2017-10-16T07:23:18.000Z

Hi Guys,

Many thanks to snoobler, Belair3D, and BITSolutions for your replies. and keep them coming!

This research is quite valuable and will very much help with the direction of my project.

I will give each of you replies later today

Many thanks

Vim

vprajapati · 2017-10-16T11:17:41.000Z

Hi Snoobler,

Thanks for your response, yep got my ABS-emitting alarm clock all set up now

Ah i see, and is that an enclosure you have built yourself? Or one you have purchased?

Many thanks

Vim

vprajapati · 2017-10-16T11:42:05.000Z

Hi Julie,

Many thanks for your comments, ah wow quite a fleet of printers!

OK I see, ah that’s a nice simple way to get rid of the smell. Does that work quite well then in terms of removing the smell of ABS?

Haha yes i have the same issue in getting headaches! Studies have shown that prolonged exposure at one time could make people feel dizzy or give them headaches. This doesn’t happen to everyone necessarily, however different people will feel different effects such as nausea, toxicity, irritation, or even nothing at all.

Also if you were interested here is a link to one of the studies I’ve been reading:

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.7b01454#showFigures

It basically details which filaments emit the most Nanoparticles, and details some advisory notifications as a result of the study.

Thank you Julie

vprajapati · 2017-10-16T11:47:38.000Z

Hi Bellair3D,

Thank you for your reply.

Ah i see, and do you notice any hint of smells at all with the enclosure working? Also which room is your Prusa i3 in can i ask?

Yes currently my research shows ABS many particles, which consists of Styrene and Ethylbenzene. They are linked to causing headaches, nausea and dizziness if you have prolonged exposure to it, so very wise to use the fan!

Also see the reply to Julie’s message for a little more detail on effects and there’s a link too to one of the studies ive been looking at.

Many thanks

Vim

snoobler · 2017-10-16T13:21:47.000Z

The unit comes in an enclosure.

ProtoCulture · 2017-10-16T17:30:49.000Z

1. FormLabs Form2 (with 99% Isopropyl alcohol cleaning station)

2. 9’ x 13’ x 7’

3. None.

4. I am completely unconcerned with FDM filaments and whatever they off-gas, with resin printers I only care if the resin has a bad smell. Too many people need gluten-free or similar air. You should see the laser forums and anyone mentioning cutting PVC, you would think you are killing everyone in your house and all neighbors within 500’ if you laser cut a vinyl record.

vprajapati · 2017-10-17T09:39:39.000Z

Hi Protoculture,

Many thanks for your reply, ah nice printer!

That is fair enough, it is interesting seeing how whats emitted affects some people and has no effect at all on others.

Many thanks

Vim

vprajapati · 2017-10-17T09:52:35.000Z

I should probably post my own answers to the question!

1) FDM Printer, Flashforge Dreamer Dual Extruder - its mostly enclosed, however it does have some vents on the side.

2) 3.5m x 3m x 2m Room Size (sitting in my personal room)

3) I tend to crack open a window or keep my room door open, however if I’m printing with ABS then I’ll put an air purifier next to the printer

4) Before I started research I was kind of oblivious to the smell since at the time I was working for a design consultancy and thought the headaches i got when we were 3D Printing ABS on the Zortrax M200 was just stress/lack of sleep. However looking back after looking at the research into chemicals released during the FDM process and the symptoms if prolonged exposure occurs, it may have been related to having the printer operating in a small office.

However I’ve been to an injection moulding factory and there it stank of plastic, so really there are no proven long term effects/illness of inhaling fumes… It must depend on the person and how their body reacts to it.

vprajapati · 2017-11-14T00:26:18.000Z

Hi Snoobler,

Hope you’re doing ok.

If you were to be convinced and feel the need to purchase an air filter/purifier for your 3D Printer, how much would you be looking to spend? About £50-60 ($65-80)?

Thanks

vprajapati · 2017-11-14T00:27:07.000Z

Hi Julie,

Hope you’re doing ok.

If you were to invest in an air filter/purifier device for your 3D Printer, how much would you be looking to spend? About £50-60 ($65-80)?

Thanks

vprajapati · 2017-11-14T00:28:36.000Z

Hi Bellair3D,

Hope you’re doing ok.

If you were to ever print with ABS and decide you feel the need to purchase an air filter/purifier for your 3D Printer, how much would you be looking to spend? About £50-60 ($65-80)?

Thanks

MarkHeller · 2018-01-03T04:09:31.000Z

Don’t print anything other than PLA and PETG in your home.

The others, especially ABS are toxic.

snoobler · 2018-01-03T04:15:09.000Z

Doing fine. Won’t be convinced. I don’t buy into fearmongering about mostly non-issues.

vprajapati · 2018-01-03T15:22:32.000Z

Hi Mark,

Thank you for your post.

So you prefer not to 3D Print any objects with ABS filament then? Is that based purely on the fact that they can be toxic when subjected to the melting temperature?

Thanks

Vim

MarkHeller · 2018-01-03T15:33:16.000Z

Wait 20 years for the effects. If you start smoking today you won’t feel the effects tomorrow either.

I hope you dont have kids in the house.

MarkHeller · 2018-01-03T15:37:21.000Z

Yes.

I only print in PLA and PETG because of the toxins emitted by the other types of filament.

For those who say they print ABS, NYLON, PC, etc all the time and they’re fine, well yeah… today. Wait 20 years and then tell me how that worked for you. If you start smoking cigarettes today you’ll feel fine tomorrow too.

vprajapati · 2018-01-03T16:14:42.000Z

OK thank you for your answer.

Based on my research I agree with the long term effects that breathing in polluted air can give your body, especially your respiratory system.

So would you ever consider purchasing a 3D Printer Air Filter Accessory to help filter the majority of the particles emitted by 3D Printing with ABS, NYLON, PC, etc? (for an example product see this: Zimpure - Filtering solution for 3D Printers by Zimple — Kickstarter)

Thanks Mark for your help so far, it is helping with regards to my research!

Best Regards

Vim

MarkHeller · 2018-01-03T16:49:31.000Z

I wouldn’t buy one based upon the manufacturer’s claim. If it was tested by an independent lab like Consumer Reports and they said it does the job I would. That would open the door to more materials for me.

ProtoCulture · 2018-01-03T17:11:18.000Z

25 years of being a maker, before the term even existed as a ‘thing’. Quite healthy. I’m the guy in the Makerspace wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and holding a brush to apply stain, varnish, etc. I’m also the guy that looks at you weird when you have a full Tyvek jumpsuit, respirator, and nitrile gloves when applying water based polycrylic. You are probably doing more damage to your body by inducing stress thinking about a small number of the things that will kill you, when it is technically everything. What are you doing regarding the offgassing of nearly every item you bring in to your house? What about all of the mysterious dust you breathe on a daily basis? Heck, most people get more harmful particulates from their Teflon pans degrading. I do avoid eating the filaments and resin though, it tastes funny.

My father did as much or more than me, and is still kicking. Besides, I’m 3D printing and releasing these toxins in the air, so chances are you are breathing it from someone else generating it somewhere.