| Title: | Prevention through design: insights from computational fluid dynamics modeling to predict exposure to ultrafine particles from 3D printing |
| Author(s): | MacCuspie RI; Hill WC; Hall DR; Korchevskiy A; Strode CD; Kennedy AJ; Ballentine ML; Rycroft T; Hull MS; |
| Address: | "NanoSafe, Inc., Blacksburg, VA, USA. Chemistry & Industrial Hygiene, Inc., Wheat Ridge, CO, USA. Department of Environmental Laboratory, Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA" |
| Journal Title: | J Toxicol Environ Health A |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15287394.2021.1886210 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1528-7394 (Print) 0098-4108 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers are increasingly used in industrial, academic, military, and residential sectors, yet their emissions and associated user exposure scenarios are not fully described. Characterization of potential user exposure and environmental releases requires robust investigation. During operation, common FFF 3D printers emit varying amounts of ultrafine particles (UFPs) depending upon feedstock material and operation procedures. Volatile organic compounds associated with these emissions exhibit distinct odors; however, the UFP portion is largely imperceptible by humans. This investigation presents straightforward computational modeling as well as experimental validation to provide actionable insights for the proactive design of lower exposure spaces where 3D printers may be used. Specifically, data suggest that forced clean airflows may create lower exposure spaces, and that computational modeling might be employed to predict these spaces with reasonable accuracy to assist with room design. The configuration and positioning of room air ventilation diffusers may be a key factor in identifying lower exposure spaces. A workflow of measuring emissions during a printing process in an ANSI/CAN/UL 2904 environmental chamber was used to provide data for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of a 6 m(2) room. Measurements of the particle concentrations in a Class 1000 clean room of identical geometry were found to pass the Hanna test for agreement between model and experimental data, validating the findings" |
| Keywords: | "Air Pollutants/*analysis Computational Biology *Computational Chemistry Environmental Exposure/*analysis Humans *Hydrodynamics Models, Theoretical Particulate Matter/*analysis Printing, Three-Dimensional 3D printer emissions additive manufacturing computa;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineMacCuspie, Robert I Hill, W Cary Hall, Daniel R Korchevskiy, Andrey Strode, Cassidy D Kennedy, Alan J Ballentine, Mark L Rycroft, Taylor Hull, Matthew S eng R43 ES030650/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2021/03/02 J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2021 Jun 3; 84(11):458-474. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2021.1886210. Epub 2021 Feb 28" |
