« Previous AbstractDesigning reverse-flow packed bed reactors for stable treatment of volatile organic compounds    Next AbstractEmissions and health risks from the use of 3D printers in an occupational setting »

Occup Med (Lond)

Title:		Health survey of employees regularly using 3D printers
Author(s):		Chan FL; House R; Kudla I; Lipszyc JC; Rajaram N; Tarlo SM;
Address:		"Division of Occupational Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada"
Journal Title:		Occup Med (Lond)
Year:		2018
Volume:		68
Issue:		3
Page Number:		211 - 214
DOI:		10.1093/occmed/kqy042
ISSN/ISBN:		1471-8405 (Electronic) 0962-7480 (Linking)
Abstract:		"BACKGROUND: 3D printers emit potentially hazardous ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds. Workers using 3D printing technologies may be at risk of respiratory illness from occupational exposure. AIMS: To assess whether 3D printing is associated with health effects in occupational users. METHODS: This was a preliminary survey. Workers in 17 companies using 3D printing, including commercial prototyping businesses, educational institutions and public libraries, in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, were asked to complete survey questionnaires concerning demographic, occupational and health information. Associations between self-reported health history variables and occupational characteristics were examined by chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Among 46 surveyed workers, 27 (59% of participants) reported having respiratory symptoms at least once per week in the past year. Working more than 40 h per week with 3D printers was significantly associated with having been given a respiratory-related diagnosis (asthma or allergic rhinitis) (P < 0.05). We observed a wide variation in occupational hygiene practices in the 17 printing workplaces that we surveyed. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding of frequently reported respiratory symptoms suggests a need for additional studies on exposed workers in this field"
Keywords:		"Adult Chi-Square Distribution Educational Status Female Health Surveys/methods Humans Income/statistics & numerical data Male Occupational Exposure/*adverse effects Ontario Pilot Projects Printing, Three-Dimensional/*standards Volatile Organic Compounds/a;"
Notes:		"MedlineChan, F L House, R Kudla, I Lipszyc, J C Rajaram, N Tarlo, S M eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2018/03/15 Occup Med (Lond). 2018 May 17; 68(3):211-214. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqy042"