Short answer

Prioritize material selection and process design that minimizes the emission of volatile and toxic metals, and implement robust engineering controls and personal protective equipment protocols.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: Safety and Health at Work (2019)
Method: Comparative study with biomonitoring and environmental monitoring.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Implementing targeted preventive measures in additive manufacturing environments can significantly reduce worker exposure to hazardous metals like cobalt, even when overall particle emissions remain constant. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Safety and Health at Work. Using Comparative study with biomonitoring and environmental monitoring., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize material selection and process design that minimizes the emission of volatile and toxic metals, and implement robust engineering controls and personal protective equipment protocols.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactModerate effect

Preventive actions in additive manufacturing reduce cobalt exposure by 15% despite unchanged particle emissions.

Safety and Health at Work · 2019

Key Findings

01AM operators showed a significant increase in cobalt exposure compared to welders.
02Preventive actions led to a reduction in dermal cobalt and a trend for increasing urine metals during the workweek in the second year, indicating reduced exposure.

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize material selection and process design that minimizes the emission of volatile and toxic metals, and implement robust engineering controls and personal protective equipment protocols.

How to apply

When designing or managing additive manufacturing processes, conduct detailed material analysis for potential metal hazards and implement specific controls for those identified risks, such as enhanced local exhaust ventilation or specialized PPE.

Project actions

01When researching materials for a design project, look beyond just the physical properties and consider the potential health impacts of their constituent elements.
02If your design involves processes that could release airborne particles, research methods to capture or filter these particles effectively.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the effectiveness of preventive actions in reducing metal exposure among additive manufacturing operators.

MethodComparative study with biomonitoring and environmental monitoring.

ProcedureAirborne particle concentrations and metal content were measured over two years in an additive manufacturing facility. Biomonitoring of urine and dermal contamination was conducted on operators, office personnel, and welders. Preventive actions were implemented between the two study periods.

ContextOccupational health in additive manufacturing facilities.

Variables

IVImplementation of preventive actions.

DVCobalt exposure levels (urine and dermal).

CVAirborne particle concentrations, facility type (AM vs. welding), worker roles (operator, office, welder).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Longitudinal study design over two years.
+Combination of environmental and biomonitoring data.

Limitations

It can be challenging to accurately measure very small particle concentrations and their exact metal composition without specialized equipment. Biomonitoring can also have variability.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is supported by repeated measurements over two years. Validity is enhanced by using both environmental monitoring and biomonitoring to assess exposure.

Think critically

How might the 'fragmentation and condensates enriched in volatile metals' from recycled powder impact the design of powder handling and recycling systems in additive manufacturing?

Design Principles

"Proactive risk assessment and targeted mitigation are essential for occupational safety in advanced manufacturing processes."

This research highlights that simply controlling bulk dust levels in additive manufacturing (AM) is insufficient. Specific attention to the composition of airborne particles and the implementation of effective control strategies are crucial for safeguarding worker health and ensuring responsible production practices.

What This Means for Your Design

Even if a 3D printing machine isn't producing a lot of dust, the tiny particles it does release can still contain harmful metals like cobalt. Putting in place special safety measures, like better ventilation or masks, can help protect workers from these metals.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of material selection and process control for health and safety in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research underscores the critical need to consider the occupational health implications of additive manufacturing. Despite overall low dust levels, specific metal exposures, such as cobalt, were identified as a risk. The study's findings on the effectiveness of preventive actions highlight the importance of implementing targeted control measures beyond general dust suppression, emphasizing the role of design in creating safer production environments.

Source

Safety and Health at Work

Biomonitoring of Metal Exposure During Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about preventive actions in additive manufacturing reduce cobalt exposure by 15% despite unchanged particle emissions?: Prioritize material selection and process design that minimizes the emission of volatile and toxic metals, and implement robust engineering controls and personal protective equipment protocols. Evidence: Safety and Health at Work (2019).
Why does "Preventive actions in additive manufacturing reduce cobalt exposure by 15% despite unchanged particle emissions." matter for design?: This research highlights that simply controlling bulk dust levels in additive manufacturing (AM) is insufficient. Specific attention to the composition of airborne particles and the implementation of effective control strategies are crucial for safeguarding worker health and ensuring responsible production practices.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize material selection and process design that minimizes the emission of volatile and toxic metals, and implement robust engineering controls and personal protective equipment protocols.
What were the main findings?: AM operators showed a significant increase in cobalt exposure compared to welders.. Preventive actions led to a reduction in dermal cobalt and a trend for increasing urine metals during the workweek in the second year, indicating reduced exposure.
What research method was used?: Comparative study with biomonitoring and environmental monitoring..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2019 journal from Safety and Health at Work.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or managing additive manufacturing processes, conduct detailed material analysis for potential metal hazards and implement specific controls for those identified risks, such as enhanced local exhaust ventilation or specialized PPE.
What are the limitations?: The study noted transient peaks in airborne particles and did not fully eliminate exposure risks. The increase in urine metals among AM operators was not statistically significant.