Written by: Krizia Joy Rivera
3D printing technology is recently being used in different settings because of its growing popularity in offices, schools, homes, shops, and manufacturing industries. It is slowly adopted in multiple areas where a lot of users forget to know that there are hazards preventions they need to consider to lessen the health risk impact.
Hazard awareness is important to communicate and taught to users due to potential health concerns that might be critical if they are exposed to toxic and unsolicited risks. Since this technology is new to the market, the information about responsible usage is not conveyed to individuals who haven't experienced the harmful emissions of 3D printers.
Being that said, in this article we will provide safety tips and helpful practices to reduce health risk issues you need to know before you get started. It’s time to spill the tea!
1. Always wear protective gear
The emissions of 3D printing materials release toxic fumes and fine particles that you may breathe throughout the process of printing. These fumes can contaminate the air and may result to dizziness and headaches when inhaled. To protect you from chemical gases and ultra-fine particles, it is important to wear a respiratory mask as a safety practice you should do before printing.
It is also advisable to wear protective gloves, goggles, and clothing to protect your eyes and body from injuries, burns, and harmful chemicals. This will minimize any health risk issues when accidents occur during the process of 3D printing.
2. Use ventilated room while printing
Selecting an area with good ventilation is a safety measure that is necessary to circulate the air inside the room. It is best to keep your windows open and exhaust fan to eliminate buildup of contaminants that may cause unwanted health problems to your body.
It is also important to note that a place for eating, drinking, and playing is not a desirable location to place your machines and materials. Choose a place that are not accessible to children and unauthorized personnel to lessen hazards and long-term problems.
3. Prepare fire safety equipment
3D printers are usually linked to heated parts of materials, print beds, and electrical components that may start the risk of fire given that the temperature usually goes up at very high degrees. High chances of static and explosion are conceivable during the operation, especially for long hours of printing. So it is always recommended to unplug the power supply when not using, own a fire extinguisher, and install fire alarm to reduce accidents and risks when fire occurs.
4. Use air purifier or filters
If there is not enough good ventilation in your room and your location is in a closed area, air purifiers and filters are the best options to remove harmful gases and particles. It is useful to clean the air and minimize the risk of getting respiratory problems. They are easy to use and will protect you against dangerous fumes.
5. Follow proper disposal rules
Proper disposing of waste materials is essential to keep your surroundings clean and hygienic. It is one of the most crucial parts to create a sustainable environment to protect yourself. It is best to always have cleaning equipment and trash cans to remove unnecessary debris in your surroundings. This will avoid hazards and toxic chemicals that might affect your health in the long term.
These safety measures are neglected and overlooked most of the time, that's why we are here to inform you some safety practices that would help you throughout your 3D printing journey. If you want to know more about 3D printing, like and follow Super Pixels on Facebook and Instagram page to be updated on our recent post about 3D printing!
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