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Particle Number Emission Rate Calculations used in Measuring Particle
Citation:
Byrley, P., W. Boyes, AND K. Rogers. Particle Number Emission Rate Calculations used in Measuring Particle. Qeen2, Washington, DC, October 09 - 10, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Fused deposition modeling 3D printers, the most popular choice among home hobbyists, have been shown to release volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and billions of airborne particles per minute, indicating the potential for consumer inhalation exposure and consequent health risks. Inhaled ultrafine particles have been linked to a variety of health effects including increased oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular effects and cytotoxicity. VOCs may contribute to the development of asthma, allergies, obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer with styrene classified as a known carcinogen. Publications on FDM 3D printer emissions; however, contain large heterogeneity of testing methods and analytical procedures making it difficult to reach overall conclusions from particle characteristics or particle number emission rates across the field.
Description:
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers, the most popular choice among home hobbyists, have been shown to release volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and billions of airborne particles per minute, indicating the potential for consumer inhalation exposure and consequent health risks. Publications on FDM 3D printer emissions; however, contain large heterogeneity in the way particle number emission rates (PNERs) are calculated across the field including the factors used to calculate influxes and losses of airborne particles. Because there is no standard experimental testing method and accompanying PNER calculation method for FDM 3D printers, this results in increased variability among resultant PNER values. PNER calculation methods used across the literature were reviewed with a focus on those derived from dynamic mass balances. Three particle number concentration (PNC) data sets were then used in five published PNER calculation methods. PNER results were found to vary by orders of magnitude for the same PNC data set. Factors used to calculate influxes and losses of airborne particles were found to be the main driver of this variability. In addition, agglomeration of volatile organic compounds were suspected to affect resultant PNER values. To strengthen direct comparability of results going forward, it is suggested that standard emissions testing protocols be developed for FDM 3D printers and particle influxes and losses be more uniformly calculated.
