3D Printer School Safety: A Guide for Supporting Indoor Air Quality and Human Health

Thanks to the development of affordable, compact, and user-friendly 3D printers, consumer use is booming, particularly in classrooms. 3D printers have become a valuable tool in K-12 classrooms because they inspire creativity and problem-solving by bringing students’ ideas and designs to life. But, as with so many new technologies, there are also unintended safety consequences to consider. Research conducted by Chemical Insights (an Institute of Underwriters Laboratories), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to scientific research, along with researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), found that 3D printers emit ultrafine particles (UFPs) and VOCs during operation. This toolkit will walk you through the research processes, key findings, and health consequences. It also presents best practices for mitigating emissions and maintaining safe and healthy school indoor environments.