How To Keep Kids Safe From 3-D Printers, Adults Too

When the children look at the magic machine to make their decorations or mini toys, their eyes light up
The turtles are in front of their eyes, layer by layer.
They seem to be fascinated by the machine because it creates their own individual --designed thing.
A computer teacher at a private school in Maryland told reporters that the most common requirement she heard from kindergarten students was to use her 3D printer.
Considering that the use of 3D printers in education has nearly tripled in two years, it is not surprising that the demands of these students have increased.
These 3D printers have a lot of very practical things, even daily necessities.
Save use-for example, more
The International Space Station, the limb prosthesis, and even the human organs that are now being developed, require spare parts to help meet the unmet needs of organ transplants.
3D printers are also considered an environmental solution that can reduce manufacturing waste and transport
Transport the product to the associated emissions at your doorstep.
However, according to a shocking new synthesis 2-
In the annual study by the American Chemical Safety Association and Georgia Institute of Technology, 3D printers can be very dangerous, especially for young bodies and brains.
The way they make things is by melting plastic, such as nylon, called filaments.
When the machine works, it emits \"super particles (UFPs)
It means very, very small particles that are harmful to health because they can be deeply sucked into the lung system and if they are small enough they can actually pass through the membrane of the blood system, into your brain, \"Dr.
Marilyn Black of UL explained.
She is the vice president and senior technical advisor of UL, and the head of the study, with 25 years of experience in the field, including as a pioneer of \"sick building syndrome.
Printers also emit chemicals, and some even mimic hormones, which can lead to changes in the endocrine system, \"which is not natural,\" she added . \".
\"Think about the kids who are a few inches away from the printer, their lungs breathe faster than adults, and their bodies are still growing.
As they look in awe at it to build their \"masterpiece\", they are inhaling potentially dangerous particles and steam into the fragile body.
Blake said calmly, \"People are worried . . . . . . Some of these chemicals can lead to changes in the biological system, which may affect the growth and development of children, \"although her words are harsh.
The chemicals emitted are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
, Similar to the \"new car smell\" you may know, currently accounts for 90% of the products in the indoor environment (
Paint, flooring, furniture included)
But according to Black, its launch level is much lower than that of a 3D printer.
We don\'t know the \"cocktail mix of VOCs\" yet, she added \"(
Including things from the daily environment)
Just as your doctor or pharmacist suggested not to mix certain drugs, the particles react in the body.
Industrial environments such as manufacturing plants or company laboratories must comply with OSHA standards for occupational safety, but schools, families and other non-
The industrial environment does not meet the same OSHA standards.
It is up to administrators, teachers and parents to protect children.
Blake told me that about half of AmericansS.
There is at least one 3D printer in the school.
At present, only voluntary projects are available to encourage manufacturers to reduce production costs.
Emissions products, including 50,000 products listed by UL\'s Greenguard program that meet low emissions
Despite many green VOC standards
Low need for construction projectsVOC products.
UL has just released emission standards for 3D printers.
Here is Dr.
Black recommends protecting you and your child\'s safety when using 3D printers: pay attention to whether children using these printers have a persistent cold or flulike symptoms (i. e.
Throat irritation, runny nose, nausea)
However, these symptoms disappear when they go out.
You may want to take them to the doctor, explore the location of the 3D printer they use and reduce usage.
Black believes that manufacturers can make mechanical modifications to 3D printers, reducing emissions of particles and steam, thereby reducing the associated hazards.
Before that, it would be better to follow these tips to help keep the children and all of us safe using these valuable machines.
We will contact the teacher in Maryland to see if she has also changed the way she uses these cool machines in her classroom.