Pulmonary and systemic toxicity in rats following inhalation exposure of 3-D printer emissions from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filament

Abstract

Background

Fused filament fabrication 3-D printing with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filament emits ultrafine particulates (UFPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, the toxicological implications of the emissions generated during 3-D printing have not been fully elucidated.

Aim and methods

The goal of this study was to investigate the in vivo toxicity of ABS-emissions from a commercial desktop 3-D printer. Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a single concentration of ABS-emissions or air for 4 hours/day, 4 days/week for five exposure durations (1, 4, 8, 15, and 30 days). At 24 hours after the last exposure, rats were assessed for pulmonary injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress as well as systemic toxicity.

Results and discussion

3-D printing generated particulate with average particle mass concentration of 240 ± 90 µg/m³, with an average geometric mean particle mobility diameter of 85 nm (geometric standard deviation = 1.6). The number of macrophages increased significantly at day 15. In bronchoalveolar lavage, IFN-γ and IL-10 were significantly higher at days 1 and 4, with IL-10 levels reaching a peak at day 15 in ABS-exposed rats. Neither pulmonary oxidative stress responses nor histopathological changes of the lungs and nasal passages were found among the treatments. There was an increase in platelets and monocytes in the circulation at day 15. Several serum biomarkers of hepatic and kidney functions were significantly higher at day 1.

Conclusions

At the current experimental conditions applied, it was concluded that the emissions from ABS filament caused minimal transient pulmonary and systemic toxicity.

Keywords:

• Thermoplastics
• emerging technologies
• thermal decomposition
• printer emissions
• printer emitted nanoparticles
• volatile organic compounds
• inhalation toxicology
• pulmonary toxicity
• systemic markers

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mention of brand name does not constitute product endorsement.

This work has not been reviewed or approved by and does not necessarily represent the views of, the Commission.

Additional information

Funding

This investigation was supported by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Project [093909NF].