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Simulated Gastric Leachate of 3D Printer Metal-Containing Filaments Induces Cytotoxic Effects in Rat and Human Intestinal Models
Citation:
Clapper, H., Getachew E. Tedla, K. Rogers, AND M. Hughes. Simulated Gastric Leachate of 3D Printer Metal-Containing Filaments Induces Cytotoxic Effects in Rat and Human Intestinal Models. ASCCT, Chapel Hill, NC, October 19 - 21, 2022. https://doi.org/10.23645/epacomptox.21330663
Impact/Purpose:
Printing 3-dimensional objects is increasing in commercial and residential settings. There are many different filament types that are used to print the object, and several of these filaments (and hence the printed object) contain metals such as copper. The possibility exists that humans can be exposed via the oral route to these these printed 3D products or the filaments containing metals themselves. In this study we examined the toxicity of extracts of the 3D filaments incubated in simulated gastric fluid in rat and human intestinal cells. We found that there was a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity of the extracts. Copper ions extracted from the filaments appear to have a major role in the cytotoxicity. Care must be used in the handling of printer filaments and printed 3D objects containing metals to limit their potential human exposure.
Description:
Printer filaments that contain metal particles (metal-fill) are commonly used to manufacture a variety of 3D-printed objects. Exposure to these objects may pose health risks to individuals, possibly due to the release of toxic metals. This study investigated the cytotoxicity of print object leachates in rat (IEC-6) and human intestinal cells. Copper-, bronze-, and steel-fill filament print objects were incubated in acidic cell culture media for 2 hours. Leachates were then adjusted to pH 7 and delivered to cells for 4 or 24 hours. Concentration- and time-dependent decreases in viability of rat and human cells were observed using a colorimetric assay and confirmed using microscopic imaging. Copper and bronze leachates were more toxic to rat and human cells than steel. ICP-MS data showed the highest copper concentrations in copper-fill leachates, so subsequent studies focused on copper-fill print objects. Four-hour exposures to copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4) (25-1000 µg/ml), resulted in concentration-dependent decreases in rat cell viability. Addition of the copper chelator, bathocuproine disulphonate (1mM), to CuSO4 (250 µg/ml) restored rat cell viability to levels comparable to untreated cells, suggesting that decreased viability was a result of copper ion exposure. Glutathione levels in rat cells decreased following a 4-hour exposure to copper-containing leachates, suggesting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overall, our data indicate that metals released from the acidic exposure of print objects using metal-fill filaments, especially copper, are toxic to rat and human intestinal cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This abstract does not represent EPA policy.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Simulated Gastric Leachate of 3D Printer Metal-Containing Filaments Induces Cytotoxic Effects in Rat and Human Intestinal Models
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