Health & Safety and 3D Printing.

[Nifty]

Great point @berttheghost !

We're subjected to all kinds of risk all the time. It's just a question of proper and educated risk management. Like someone smoking cigarettes that then complains about the health hazards of 3D printing in PLA.

Everyone has different risk assessment, risk tolerance, and risk management. Some people think driving over the speed limit is too risky, others feel the reward is worth the risk and speed up.

I have my printer in my tiny office that's usually closed and not really ventilated at all. I'm probably taking a bit more of a risk than if it was in the garage, but I like the close accessibility. More risk, but IMO, worth the reward.

 

[The Hat]

But still, there's no need for promoters of 3D printers to deny and make light of the potential problems, when ventilation is an effective solution.

@berttheghost, Personally I reckon you should lighten up on the potential risks associated with been anywhere near 3D printers.

I am also a user of these same 3D printers and except there’re are risks with everything in life and this is no exception, I take my health as serious as the next guy, and I’m not afraid to stand by what I’m promoting.

As far as the risks are concerned, they have not been proven and until they are no one should take them very seriously, and I will continue to use and promote the 3D printer despite your disapproval, O’ and thank you for your concerns...
P.S. I do use my 3D printer in a well ventilated area...

 

[Nifty]

Some interesting stuff in this video:

 

[Redbrickman]

I've read loads of articles on the 3D printer particle issue and I'm agreeing with him that the hazard does exists. How dangerous is debatable, however anything you can do to eliminate part of the risk is surely worthwile. The one disadvantage cited by several people is the draught affecting the print. I think the airflow path and speed need careful tweaking to extract enough fumes but not to cause a draught on the print bed.

Filtering is not a perfect solution either for the nano particles - on one paper I read that even the HEPA type filters do not deal effectively with all the 3D printer nanoparticles.

It's something I intend to do when the printer goes to it's new home in the man cave

A cheap and cheerful enclosure can be made by using some of the building board insulation (foam board with foil sides) to make the enclosure, with an acrylic front for viewing/access. It's also light so can be lifted off the printer if doing maintenance.

 

[Nifty]

I've read loads of articles on the 3D printer particle issue and I'm agreeing with him that the hazard does exists. How dangerous is debatable, however anything you can do to eliminate part of the risk is surely worthwile.

Yup, very well stated!

It really comes down to risk tolerance / risk management... and maybe even personal health / sensitivities.

I'm probably the worst-case situation. Tiny office, printer right next to me, I'm in my office all day / every day.

Part of me thinks I should err on the side of caution and move, enclose, vent, etc. my printer... but the lazy / convenience side of me says "Meh... you'll be fine!"

That said, if I was printing in ABS all the time vs. PLA relatively rarely, I'd take a very different approach.

 

[The Hat]

Yup, very well stated!

It really comes down to risk tolerance / risk management... and maybe even personal health / sensitivities.

I originally had my printer in my computer room while using ABS and got the odd headache from it, but my son told me to get it the hell out, so now its in my shed and running PLA, and ventilation is not a problem in there.

If I had to enclose my printers in a near sealed box to use them, I would not enjoy printing anymore, and probably stop using them altogether, and now if I get the odd odour from the fumes then I reckon it’s worth the risk.

Unlike most I start up the printers and within ten minutes I vacate the shed and leave them to their own devices, and if I had to babysit the printers while they were running, I’d probably fall a sleep with boredom...

On rare occasions I can still get the odd ball of fur...

 

[Nifty]

Some buzz going on about this article:

https://gizmodo.com/new-study-details-all-the-toxic-shit-spewed-out-by-3d-p-1830379464

I have my printer in my office where I spend a lot of time, and is not very well well ventilated. I guess the silver lining is that I only print in PLA.

I really wish the risk level was quantified and compared to other similar risk profiles, like how 3D printing PLA compares to smoking X cigarettes, or walking around downtown Los Angeles for x hours, etc. Not all risk and exposure are the same, so it would be good to know quantifiably how much risk there is relative to other things.

 

[RichardM]

Warnings to all !
BUY a large stock of 3D printers & filament (stock up to the gunnels ) now before the H&S community
Printer:
1) require certified printer technician to operate said machine
2) require full time H&S officer present at all times
3) Require full annual inspection, calibration, test and certification.
Filament:
1) Classed as Hazardous Product
2) Requires full documentation on purchases, usage and disposal. (Chargeable of course)
3) Impose Safety Hazard surcharge per Kg.
4) Government get on board and in the publics interest impose a 250% usage tax.
.... but then again...
Edit:

 

[The Hat]

I heeded the ABS warnings and moved my printer out of harms way, and I hardly got any odour from ABS after that, but with the use of proper ventilation, the risk of dangerous fumes can be eliminated, instead I decided to discontinue using ABS.

I currently have my printer in my shed and am hardly there when its running, I just pop back every so often to check on its progress, this is only possible because of the releasably of PLA, I found the use of other filaments needed constant supervision..

Even Laser printers give off some obnoxious odours in homes and offices and there is no outcry about there use..

 

[Nifty]

Even Laser printers give off some obnoxious odours in homes and offices and there is no outcry about there use..

Yup, exactly! I would love to see some relative comparisons as well as long-term damage potential.

I mean, are we talking "0.1% increase in cancer based on 24/7 exposure" or "20% increase in cancer based on 1 hour / day exposure".

I'm not getting paranoid with my worry, but we have enough examples of "Hey, this is safe... oh wait, it will kill you!" to know that it's easy to think something is "relatively safe" until it's not... like asbestos, lead-paint, and of course radioactive toys for kids: https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-terrifying-age-of-radioactive-toys-for-kids-1501777693