Abstract
The EU-project FAST (GA 685825) has developed a 3D printer machine prototype for the manufacture of bone implants (scaffolds), by merging masterbatches of biodegradable polymer poly(ethylene oxide)terephthalate/poly(butylene terephthalate) [PEOT/PBT] doped with nanofillers [reduced graphene oxide (rGO), hydroxyapatite (HA) and magnesium aluminium hydroxide ciprofloxacin hydrotalcite (LDH-CFX)], and atmospheric plasma technology. This paper focus on the safe design strategies identified by FAST to address the risk to health resulting from the potential airborne emission of nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates (NOAAs) by the 3D printer prototype, which might result in occupational exposures by inhalation. The work also includes measurements of airborne emissions and occupational exposures carried out during the verification stage of the prototype design. Nanofillers particles (rGO, n-HA, LDH-CFX) were not observed, neither at source nor in the working area, suggesting no release of free nanofillers to the air one they have been embedded in the polymer masterbatch. Additionally, the exposure in the workplace was far below the selected Occupational Exposure Levels (OELs), for total particle number concentration (PNC), dust, elemental carbon (EC) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The results showed that, when working with the current prototype in normal operation (for its intended use) and with controls enabled [enclosure with the doors closed and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) activated], the emission from the machine and the worker’s exposure to NOAAs are well controlled.
Highlights
Additive Manufacturing (AM) - known as 3D Printing - is a manufacturing process that usesAM machinery - known as 3D Printers - to make parts from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer [2,3]
This paper focus on the safe design strategies identified by FAST to address the risk to health resulting from the potential airborne emission of nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates (NOAAs) by the 3D printer prototype, which might result in occupational exposures by inhalation
This paper focus on the safe design strategies identified by FAST to address the risk to health resulting from the potential airborne emission of NOAAs by the 3D printer prototype, which may result in occupational exposures by inhalation
Summary
Additive Manufacturing (AM) - known as 3D Printing - is a manufacturing process that uses. 3.3 Safe design approach for the FAST 3D printing prototype The objective of a safe design of the FAST-3D printer with respect to the risks derived from the emission and exposure to NOAAs, should be to ensure the manufacture of scaffolds, keeping these risks adequately reduced. This objective can be achieved by the elimination of hazards, or by reducing the associated risk. Emissions of the machine (inside and outside the enclosure) and occupational exposures (by inhalation) were measured using masterbatches of PEOT/PBT polymer, without nanofiller (control) and filled with rGO, HA and LDH-CFX. The operator wore conventional lab clothes, and gloves were used during the printing and cleaning tasks
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