3D Printers Emissions of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs)

Polymers used in 3D printing are known to emit hazardous materials when heated. While the emissions from pristine polymers and some filaments have been studied, many filaments contain additives that may influence their hazardous emissions. This research used a variety of commercially-available 3D printer filaments to assess the possibly formation of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), a class of surface-bound free radicals that have much longer lifetimes compared to their gas-phase counterparts. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to successfully identify EPFRs in particulate matter collected during regular 3D printer use. These findings should influence future studies on 3D printer emissions to include consideration of EPFR formation. These methodologies may be used by EPA's Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), Consumer Protection and Safety Commission (CPSC), and National Institute of Occupational of Safety and Health (NIOSH).

已知用于3D打印的聚合物在受热时会释放有害物质。尽管已有针对纯聚合物及部分丝材排放物的研究，但多数丝材含有的添加剂可能会影响其有害排放特性。本研究选用多种市售3D打印丝材，旨在评估环境持久性自由基（environmentally persistent free radicals, EPFRs）的潜在生成情况。EPFRs是一类结合于表面的自由基，其寿命远长于气相同类自由基。研究人员通过电子顺磁共振（electron paramagnetic resonance, EPR）光谱法，成功在常规3D打印过程中收集的颗粒物中检测到了EPFRs。该研究结果将推动未来3D打印排放相关研究纳入EPFR生成的考量维度。上述研究方法可被美国环境保护署（EPA）化学安全与污染预防办公室（OCSPP）、消费者保护与安全委员会（CPSC）以及美国国家职业安全与健康研究所（NIOSH）采用。