Stefan - When dealing with 3 D printers, ventilation can be an issue for two reasons - production of VOCs and nanoparticles. Both can provide exposures to health hazards - especially respiratory. You need to make sure there is appropriate ventilation including room exchanges per hour. I also recommend having an electrostatic filtering system installed. When dealing with other sources of VOCs, remember the traditional spray booth or in some cases fume hood.
Hope this helps - Contact me directly if you have other questions via email address below.
Ken Roy, Ph.D.
Director of Environmental Health and Safety
Glastonbury Public Schools, Glastonbury, Connecticut;
Chief Science Safety Compliance Adviser/Author/Columnist
National Science Teachers Association;
Safety Compliance Officer,
National Science Education Leadership Association
Safesci**At_Symbol_Here**sbcglobal.net
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On Friday, April 15, 2016 11:24 AM, "Wawzyniecki Jr, Stefan" <stefan.w**At_Symbol_Here**UCONN.EDU> wrote:
To all-
I have queried a few peers on how their institutions are addressing Maker Spaces, and other installations involving Laser cutters, 3D Printers, and other devices, some of which are usually associated with shops ( milling machines, drill
presses) but are now being situated in non-traditional spaces- residential halls, and library spaces.
Do any of your institutions have formal policies regarding such installations?
Are you requiring exhaust ventilation for the laser cutters, or allowing the use of fume extractors? Do you ever vent outside the room exterior wall, or require roof top exhaust?
What about 3 D Printers- vented?
And the chemicals -I have discovered printers in computer labs, with insulated coolers used for chemical storage for the cleaning of the devices.
Thanks for feedback.
Stefan Wawzyniecki, CIH, CHMM
NRCC-CHO
University of Connecticut
