Analysis of particulate matter and volatile organic compound emissions from 3D printing activity

The indoor environment contributes significantly to human well-being, as most people spend about 90% of their time indoors. Many pollutants can arise in these settings from various sources, causing poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). These pollutants are usually a complex mixture of particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Airborne PM has been highlighted as a critical indoor air pollutant. The damage caused by the inhalation and deposition of PM is closely associated with PM size. VOCs are organic carbon-containing compounds characterized by high vapour pressures at room temperature. Certain VOCs are considered carcinogenic, the health effects of which are linked with concentration levels and exposure times. Therefore, it is essential to study PM and VOCs emissions from sources in the domestic setting to understand their potential impacts on IAQ. Three-dimensional (3D) printers are an example of a new technology product that is becoming increasingly prevalent in the domestic and school settings, raising health and safety concerns for the users. Print filaments used in 3D printing are thermoplastic polymers extruded using high temperatures. Although chemistries of these filaments are diversifying, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) have remained dominant filaments on the market. In addition, there are various brands of these filaments available, and no regulation or testing requirements for their emissions currently exist. This thesis investigates the potential impact of 3D printing activity on IAQ concerning PM and VOC emissions in the domestic setting. PM emissions were measured using an optical particle sensor (OPS) and low-cost air quality monitors. Size ranges of interest were from 0.3 μm to 10 μm. VOC emissions were sampled using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in a closed chamber experimental setup and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This thesis presents significant impacts on PM and VOC emissions as a function of the filament material, brand, and colour used. Given the growing use of 3D printing in indoor, non-ventilated settings, this research focuses on their emissions impact on IAQ, which could potentially induce adverse health effects. Accordingly, it is suggested that home users of 3D printers should be made aware of the potential impacts of their choices around print settings and filament types to make informed decisions around their printing materials and methods and ensure adequate ventilation and targeted emission control solutions