[Negative1]

The corrolary of an alarmist report is a dismissive viewpoint. Theres evidence here that FDM printers emit toxic fumes. If you want to believe it's really not so bad, fine, close your made up mind. If there is a chance that filament fumes are harmful, people need to be made aware. They're setting these things up in grade school STEM/STEAM programs; there is potential for real harm here and not pursuing more research is irresponsible.

[hnmonkey]

Agreed 100%. Them blowing this off because they don't feel like it has enough data or teeth I think is a big mistake. There's a distinct possibility that there will be a 3d printer in every classroom/office/home at some point in the future (just like regular printers eventually graduated to be everywhere). Discussing that there might actually be some toxic issues with these printers now can head off a potential future where tons of people including children are getting sick due to something that we didn't test enough or look at with enough skepticism before it gained mass acceptance. It's win/win really... they become safer if they are found to be emiting toxic fumes and people can feel more comfortable having a safer 3d printer around them. I just don't see the downside...

Much like how there are wall paints that have low or no VOCs I imagine we'd want these printers to head in the same direction. Why would anyone say... oh yeah these paints have a variety of VOCs they emit. Sounds alarmist and I don't see enough evidence so we shouldn't explore further and come up with ones that don't potentially harm people.

[GistNoesis]

I'm worried it will impact the cost of filament and printers. Unless there is a cheap way to test and certify filaments. Volumes are still quite low. Regulation risk concentrating filament production into monopolies. Then it will be hard to trust that those certification anyway.

[hnmonkey]

Super valid concern. I imagine it will raise the price considerably and there will be 'safe!' 3d printers that cost a ton because they've been certified and have filaments and suction/vacuum/air pushing systems that have been tested and show no ill effects towards humans. It seems inevitable, but I'd imagine price will come down in a while as things scale.

It also does open the door for someone to come in and make a vent/hood system that works for many types of 3d printers so I guess there's that...

[kevin_thibedeau]

The study specifically targeted ABS which is known to emit fumes but the banner headline is overly alarmist by attacking all of 3d printing even though few use ABS. Working in a Harbor Freight store is a far greater hazard for VOC exposure.