Feb 7, 2019 | By Thomas
UL Chemical Safety has announced the publication of ANSI/CAN/UL 2904, "Standard Method for Testing and Assessing Particle and Chemical Emissions from 3D Printers," which aims to mitigate indoor air pollution risks associated with 3D printer emissions. The Standard applies to freestanding 3D printers that are typically found in schools, offices, libraries, homes, and other non-industrial indoor spaces.
ANSI/CAN/UL 2904 contains measurement and assessment protocols for the emissions of particles and volatile chemicals from diverse 3D printers, print media, and print applications.
In November 2018, UL Chemical Safety and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) published results from an in-depth, two-year research period on 3D printers. According to UL Chemical Safety and Georgia Tech's research, many desktop 3D printers generate ultrafine particles (UFPs) while in operation. UFPs may pose a health concern since they are the size of nanoparticles and may be inhaled and penetrate deep into the human pulmonary system.
The research also found that more than 200 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs), many of which are known or suspected irritants and carcinogens, can be released while 3D printers are in operation.
Research shows that many machine factors, including nozzle temperature, filament type, filament and printer brand, and filament color, affect emissions while extrusion temperature, filament material and filament brand were found to have the greatest impact on emission levels. However, there is currently little marketplace information available to help users choose safer options.
"The new Standard allows manufacturers and users of 3D printers to have the assurance that printers have been tested and shown to meet low emission criteria for small particles and volatile chemicals that can affect human heath," according to Dr. Marilyn Black, VP and Senior Technical Advisor for UL.
UL Chemical Safety and Georgia Tech have summarized their research in four scientific reports on 3D printers and emissions. Two scientific research papers, "Characterization of particle emissions from consumer fused deposition modeling 3D printers" and "Investigating particle emissions and aerosol dynamics from a consumer fused deposition modeling 3D printer with a lognormal moment aerosol model," have been published in Aerosol Science and Technology.
ANSI/CAN/UL 2904 is now available for purchase through UL Standards' website.
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
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