01/27/2022
By Kathi Lamond
3D Printing produces ultrafine particles (UFPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can cause adverse health effects. For this reason, 3D printers are required to be properly ventilated. It is important to follow the below noted procedures when placing an order for 3D printing equipment.
Before Ordering 3D Printers
- Fill out the new equipment installation form on the UML Facilities website. (The form is located at the bottom of this webpage.) Be sure to attach user manual, safety manual and/or manufacturer’s instructions for 3D printer to the new equipment installation form.
- Requestors should expect to purchase secondary containment boxes.
- Facilities Management and EHS will review the proposed purchase and location and determine if:
- The printer can be safely accommodated in the location as proposed either using existing available ventilation or because ventilation is not required for the unit
proposed. - The printer can be safely accommodated in the location proposed with containment and HEPA filtration of in-room exhaust.
- The printer can only be safely accommodated in the proposed location if connected to external ventilation.
- Requestors are generally expected to fund the costs of designing and installing external ventilation, which can be significant.
- The printer can only be safely accommodated if connected to external ventilation which is infeasible in the proposed location. Requestors will be asked to identify alternative locations or products.
- The printer can be safely accommodated in the location as proposed either using existing available ventilation or because ventilation is not required for the unit
After Receiving Facilities & EHS Approvals
- In Buyways, use commodity code UMLOW 3D Printers/Lasers (not printers) for ordering 3D printers once the new equipment installation form has been approved. Order the secondary containment box as well with this commodity code.
- Facilities and EHS will work with the lab group to install pre-determined local exhaust ventilation as required. If a secondary containment box is not available from the manufacturer, a custom secondary containment box may need to be designed and built to connect to local exhaust ventilation. A containment box and design costs if necessary are the responsibility of the person, and/or principal investigator, lab, or department purchasing the equipment.
General Guidance
- 3D printers that are used with hazardous materials such as metal powders (nickel, aluminum, silver), isocyanates or nanomaterials (iron nanoparticles or silver nanoparticles), will be required to be mechanically vented to the exterior using a fume hood or similar laboratory ventilation equipment as the engineering control. Not all buildings’ mechanical systems can support the necessary mechanical exhaust installation. Some locations are not viable for printers used with hazardous materials. This will be established during the pre-order review by Facilities and EHS.
- For certain 3D printers, if local exhaust ventilation is not cost effective or feasible; purchase of a portable filtration unit with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and activated charcoal filter to remove contaminants may be an acceptable substitution for mechanical ventilation. (These filters need to be changed out and replaced over time).
- The responsibility of purchasing a portable filtration unit, and changing and replacing filters is that of the person, and/or principal investigator, lab, or department owning the equipment. It is also important to notify ehs@uml.edu for safety oversight.
- N95 particulate masks protect the wearer from ultrafine particles but are not a permanent solution for working safely with 3D printers in a lab. N95 particulate masks only protect the wearer from exposure to particulates, not volatile organic compounds and other fumes generated by 3D printers. In the hierarchy of safety controls, personal protective equipment is the last resort; N95s are a temporary mitigation until the engineering controls are in place. (Remember, N95s can be worn incorrectly or not worn at all although required and there is less user error for exposure to UFPs if an engineering control is in place.)
Please reach out to ehs@uml.edu if you have any safety or health concerns regarding the purchase of 3D printers for your lab. Refer to the UML 3D printer SOP at www.uml.edu/eem/ehs under lab safety/SOPs for more detailed information regarding the health hazards of 3D printers due to generation of ultrafine particles (UFPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other fumes as well as required safety controls.