Is It Safe To 3D Print Indoors? Your lungs will thank you.
The safety of 3D printing is something that many people do not think about but it is clearly very important. I will do anything that I can to keep my family safe, happy, and healthy and making sure that they are breathing good clean air is important to me. I have already done the hard work for you and created a list of the filaments that are safe to 3D print indoors as well as the ones that are not.
As a general rule, it is safe to 3D print indoors. Most available filaments do not produce any harmful fumes and are safe to 3D print in your house, but there are some filaments that do produce harmful fumes so it is always advised to understand the risks when 3D printing any type of material.
Regardless of toxicity you should always seek medical advice if any symptoms occur after encountering any of the filaments listed here. Just because something generally isn’t toxic doesn’t mean you aren’t allergic to it and any and all symptoms should be taken seriously
Is It Safe To 3D Print PLA Indoors? Are PLA fumes harmful?
PLA is safe to 3D print indoors and does not produce any harmful fumes. PLA generally gives off no scent and is an aliphatic polyester that derives 100 percent from renewable resources. PLA can emit fine particles to the air due to the printing process and inhalation of particles should be avoided.
It is possible for PLA to produce small particles due to the printing process that should be considered. It is advised to always 3D print any material in a well ventilated area. The standard sized room in a house should be sufficient for ventilating PLA.
PLA is highly processable and has many applications in almost every industry. PLA is technically biodegradable, but due to the rise in popularity of PLA there isn’t enough infrastructure to properly process and break down most PLA.
Is It Safe To 3D Print PETG Indoors? Are PETG fumes harmful?
PETG is safe to 3D print indoors and it does not produce any harmful fumes. PETG generally gives off no scent and is recyclable but not biodegradable. PETG can emit fine particles to the air due to the printing process and inhalation of particles should be avoided.
The fine particles that PETG emits can be harmful if the exposure is continuous over a long period of time similar to exposure to sawdust. Although fine particles from 3D printing do not produce a dangerous immediate threat this should not be ignored. When printing any 3D filament it is recommended to ventilate the area properly or to print in an area with low foot traffic such as a basement or garage.
Is It Safe To 3D Print ABS Indoors? Are ABS fumes harmful?
ABS is not safe to 3D print indoors due to the harmful fumes that it produces, ABS also gives off an unpleasant burning plastic odor. ABS is recyclable but is not biodegradable. ABS should not be printed in your house and should always be printed in a well ventilated area with good airflow.
The fumes from ABS can cause rash like skin irritation, headaches, lightheadedness, as well as respiratory issues such as inflammation in your lungs as well as irritation in your respiratory tract as a whole. Inhalation of ABS fumes should be avoided.
Is It Safe To 3D Print Polycarbonate (PC) Indoors?
Polycarbonate is safe to 3D print indoors in a well ventilated area. Polycarbonate contains BPA and has been studied by the National Center for Biotechnology Information for its toxicity when inhaled. The extensive inhalation exposure study did not result in any toxic effects.
Here is the article that the NCFB posted on their study, please check it out for further information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426503/
Similar to PLA and PETG just because there are not harmful fumes does not mean it is not harmful in some way. PC can emit small particles that can be harmful with extended exposure. Inhalation of fine PC particles should be avoided.
Is It Safe To 3D Print Carbon Fiber Indoors?
Carbon fiber is safe to 3D print indoors and it does not produce any harmful fumes. Carbon Fiber is a polymer base infused with fibers of carbon. Just like any other filament it is possible for Carbon Fiber to emit fine particles which you should avoid inhaling.
Is it Safe to 3D Print Resin Indoors? Should I ventilate?
Resin is not safe to 3D print indoors due to the harmful fumes that it produces. Resin should always be handled with gloves and should never come directly in contact with your skin. Resin should not be printed in your house and should always be printed in a well ventilated area with good airflow.
If you do come in direct contact with resin follow first aid measures described on the safety data sheet.
Do 3D Printers Release Toxic Fumes? Can they make you sick?
3D printers do not directly release any toxic fumes but can produce toxic fumes depending on the filament in the 3D printer. 3D printers can cause small particles to be released from any filament that could be harmful if inhaled. Fumes from 3D printing can make you sick depending on exposure.
Do 3D Printers Release Harmful Particles When Printing?
3D printers can release harmful particles when printing any filament. 3D printing should always be performed in a well ventilated area and inhalation of particles should always be avoided. Particles can cause irritation in your lungs as well as your respiratory tract.
Should I Put My 3D Printer In My Bedroom?
As a whole, it is not advised to put your 3D printer in your bedroom due to the potential of harmful fumes as well as fine particles that can cause respiratory issues. 3D printers are also known for being fairly noisy which could lead to difficulty sleeping.
3D printers are also not immune to catching on fire so that is not good. I think it would probably not be a good thing for your 3D printer to catch on fire in the room you are sleeping in.
There are many many reasons to not put your 3D printer in your bedroom so just stick it in a closet or your living room if you have no where else to put it. Always be aware of the material you are printing and reference this article if you are wondering if it is safe to print a specific filament in your house.
Do 3D Printers Need Ventilation?
As a general rule it is advised to ventilate your 3D printer. Not all filaments are harmful but 3D printers can emit fine particles that can be harmful when inhaled. The best way to avoid inhalation of harmful particles is simply by putting your 3D printer somewhere that will have good ventilation.
