EPA view about 3D Printing emissions
According to Dr. Souhail Al-Abed, lead EPA scientist of a new study on the subject,” Users may not be aware of chemical emissions during the printing process. His team’s research shows that common 3D printer ink, or filament, can emit gases during the printing phase that may pose a health risk to users and bystanders. The most concerning of these emissions are known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short.”
For instance, HP says that 3D printing will enable the manufacturing industry to produce less waste, less inventory and less CO2 emissions. It allows engineers and designers to rethink design throughout the product lifecycle in order to use less material and reduce waste by combining parts and using complex geometries to produce lightweight parts.
Keeping up with 3D Printing: EPA Researchers Build on New Plastic Emissions Study
EPA Looks at 3D Printing Emissions
Duke University — Center for Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology
University of California — Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC—CEIN)