I recently purchased a 3d printer, and I looked for articles talking about the risks associated with PLA fumes. This article[1] seems to be popularly cited, which includes the statement "PLA doesn’t look like a problem." I think this is what in my experience has been largely the sentiment when I have asked around, and read forum posts about the topic. At my local library there is a makerlab space, they are free to use and they basically run them non-stop uncovered in the room.
One of the other points I found interesting was that someone mentioned that a lot of the printers are manufactured in China where there isn't as much regulation around required safety warnings. However, NIOSH does have a short page[2] on 3d printer safety.
In my mind as a new hobbyist it seems like the combination of two issues.
1. The way 3d printers are currently designed and marketed is primarily an open-air style that can be used just out of the box. Enclosures are usually at least as much as a consumer level printer, and you need to have a way to vent it to the outside.
2. The thinking from the community is largely "PLA doesn't look like a problem" and only use an enclosure for ABS and more toxic materials.
I understand the comments around hobbyists shouldn't be the ones designing filtration systems, but it does seem reasonable to
I know that if I print PLA and stay in the room, it will give me a headache after a while. And I can definitely smell it, so at least something is getting released into the air. I don't know if that actually means it's harmful, but I stopped staying in the same room if a printer is running.
In over a year I've never noticed a smell from PLA during a print.
Maybe that varies between manufacturer, some "PLA" filaments are actually weird mixes (like PLA+).
Agree; with PLA there’s a definite recognisable smell.
Also, when I first got my printer, I had it running in a corner of my office room and found I would reliably get a sore throat after a few hours printing. It’s now shifted to the basement with a extractor fan nearby.
IIRC, enclosures aren't common on consumer models because there's a patent on that design. Not sure if the patent has expired or not but with the trend already in motion, consumers are accustomed to open air printers. Printing the parts for an enclosure is also a good way to break in a new printer.
Yep this prevented any commercial options. It's why the Ikea Lack became so popular as an easy and low cost enclosure to make - I've got one for my Prusa Mini+ and it obviously does nothing to help with venting.
Enclosures aren't common on cheap bed slinger (the ones where the bed moves in the Y axis) because they would need to be much bigger than the print area. CoreXY machines are more likely to be sold with an enclosure.
One of the other points I found interesting was that someone mentioned that a lot of the printers are manufactured in China where there isn't as much regulation around required safety warnings. However, NIOSH does have a short page[2] on 3d printer safety.
In my mind as a new hobbyist it seems like the combination of two issues.
1. The way 3d printers are currently designed and marketed is primarily an open-air style that can be used just out of the box. Enclosures are usually at least as much as a consumer level printer, and you need to have a way to vent it to the outside.
2. The thinking from the community is largely "PLA doesn't look like a problem" and only use an enclosure for ABS and more toxic materials.
I understand the comments around hobbyists shouldn't be the ones designing filtration systems, but it does seem reasonable to
[1] - https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/3d-printing-fumes-new-scienc...
[2] - https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/newsroom/feature/2022print3D.html