Particle Safety Assessment in Additive Manufacturing: From Exposure Risks to Advanced Toxicology Testing | JoVE Visualize

Particle Safety Assessment in Additive Manufacturing: From Exposure Risks to Advanced Toxicology Testing

Andi Alijagic^1,2,3, Magnus Engwall¹, Eva Särndahl^2,3

¹Man-Technology-Environment Research Center (MTM), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.

Frontiers in Toxicology|May 13, 2022

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Additive manufacturing (AM) particle powders and byproducts pose potential health risks. Comprehensive safety assessments are needed across the AM lifecycle to understand and mitigate these hazards.

Area of Science:

Materials Science and Engineering
Toxicology and Environmental Health
Nanotechnology

Background:

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, utilizes diverse powders (plastic, metallic, ceramic) for sophisticated product creation.
Powder reuse in AM can alter physicochemical properties, potentially increasing toxicological risks.
AM processes emit micro/nanoparticles and volatile chemicals, raising concerns about occupational exposure and adverse health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the safety challenges associated with additive manufacturing particle powders and their byproducts.
To explore the impact of powder reuse on particle properties and toxicity.
To outline next-generation toxicology approaches for AM nanosafety assessment.

Main Methods:

Literature review of AM feedstock powders, reuse impacts, exposure pathways, and protective measures.
Analysis of particle biological identity and toxicological endpoints for safety assessment.
Discussion of advanced toxicology methods for hazard identification in AM.

Main Results:

AM particle powders and byproducts can interact with biological systems, potentially causing inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity.
Chemicals emitted from polymer breakdown during AM pose risks of direct toxicity, genotoxicity, and endocrine disruption.
A significant knowledge gap exists regarding the human health effects of AM particles and their byproducts.

Conclusions:

Comprehensive safety assessment across the entire AM lifecycle (virgin, reused, airborne particles) is crucial.
Understanding particle biological identity and employing advanced toxicology methods are key for hazard identification.
A strategic approach is needed for developing cutting-edge methodologies for risk assessment in the AM industry.