Introduction

I started my journey in 3D printing in January 2023 with an Ender 3 S1 that I replaced in May 2023 for a Bambu Lab X1C. In my learning process, I started to be interested on the toxicity of the fumes that 3d printing emits and I read some articles about this subject (See reference below). Some research have been done but results are vague and not clear options on how to improve the situation except for « being in a well ventilated environment ».

Reference :

• https://all3dp.com/3d-printing-toxic-emissions-everything-need-know/
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/mishagajewski/2020/12/15/3d-printers-may-be-toxic-to-humans/?sh=45c53bd94338
• https://3dsolved.com/is-3d-printing-toxic/

Goal

My objective is to understand the toxicity with the different filaments that I'm using and find behavior to improve the situation.

Setup

• Bambu Lab X1C
• Sensor is a Stellate AQ-2000
  • I know this is not a high quality monitoring but should be good enough to give indications to achieve my goals.
• Bento Box v 2.0
  • https://www.printables.com/model/272525-bentobox-v20-carbon-filter-for-bambu-lab-x1c-enclo
• Room with a fan directing the air oustide

Test #1 - PLA - 2023-08-26

Objective

Observe the behavior under normal conditions

Printer Parameters

• PEI Texture plate
• Fan
  • Part =
  • Aux =
  • Chamber =
• PolyLite Blue Silk

For a print that lasted 15 minutes

Status	Sensor location	TVOC	HCHO	PM1.0	PM2.5	PM10
Before printing
	On the printer	0,252	0,036	001	003	004
While printing
	On the printer	0,6		001	003	004
	In the enclosure	4,5		001	003	004
After printing
	In the enclosure	9,999 (00h00)	0,844	001	003	004
		6,355 (00h15)	0,811	001	003	004
		6,00 (00h25)	0,770	001	003	004
		5,9 (00h35)	0,450	001	003	004
		4.4 (01h14)	N/A	001	003	004

Conclusion

The TVOC is very high even after an hour and with the Bento Box that is supposed to filter the air. Recommandation, open the door quickly, take the plate and close the door before removing the objects in the printer.

Test #2 - PETG - 2023-08-26 - Enabling the Chamber Fan

Objective

If I enable the Chamber Fan, will it make a difference with the TVOC inside the enclosure

Printer Parameters

• PEI Texture plate

• Fan

  • Part = 90%
  • Aux = 0%
  • Chamber = 70%

• Matreio3D White

Measurements

For a print that lasted 15 minutes

I activated the Chamber Fan to 100% after the print

After 9 minutes, I activated the Aux Fan to 100%

Status	Sensor location	TVOC	HCHO	PM1.0	PM2.5	PM10
Before printing
	On the printer	0,252	0,036	001	003	004
While printing
	On the printer	0,266	0,04	001	003	004
	In the enclosure	4,620	0,729	001	003	004
After print
	In the enclosure	6,227 (0h00)	0,787	001	003	004
		4,620 (00h05)	0,729
		4,567 (00h09)	0,469
		1,462 (00h12)	0,287
	On the printer	0,768 (00h12)	N/A
		0,476 (00h15)	0,066

Conclusion

The Chamber Fan running for approx 10 minutes really makes a difference by cleaning the air through the Carbon Filter.

Test #3 - PETG - 2023-08-29- Enabling the Aux Fan

Objective

I want to verify if there is a circulation of the air with the Auxiliary fan, will the Bento Box Filter be more efficient with its carbon filter?

Printer Parameters

• PEI Texture plate

• Fan

  • Part = 90%
  • Aux = 0%
  • Chamber = 70%

• Matreio3D White

Measurements

For a print that lasted 35 minutes

I activated the Aux Fan to 100% after the print

Status	Sensor location	TVOC	HCHO	PM1.0	PM2.5	PM10
Before printing
	On the printer	0,252	0,036	001	003	004
While printing
	On the printer	0,266	0,04	001	003	004
	In the enclosure	4,620	0,729	001	003	004
After print
	In the enclosure	6.227 (0h00)	0,778	001	003	004
		4,567 (00h05)	0,729
		4.515 (00h09)	0,469

Conclusion

The Bento Box Filter does seem to filter much even with the aux fan. May be I have too much carbon in the filter preventing the air to flow?? More tests to come on that.

Quality Reference

TVOC Level mg/m3: Level of Concern

• Less than 0.3 mg/m3: Low
• 0.3 to 0.5 mg/m3: Acceptable
• 0.5 to 1 mg/m3: Marginal
• 1 to 3 mg/m3: High

Reference = https://tecamgroup.com/what-are-acceptable-voc-levels-in-the-air/

PM 2.5 Level ug/m3: Level of Concern

Air quality category	PM~2.5 µg/m^3^ averaged over 1 hour\ ~	PM2.5 µg/m^3^ averaged over 24 hours
Good	Less than 25	Less than 12.5
Fair	25--50	12.5--25
Poor	50--100	25--50
Very poor	100--300	50--150
Extremely poor	More than 300	More than 150

Reference = https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/environmental-information/air-quality/pm25-particles-in-the-air

PM 10 Level ug/m3: Level of Concern

Air quality category	PM10 µg/m^3 ^averaged over 1 hour
Good	Less than 40
Fair	40--80
Poor	80--120
Very poor	120--300
Extremely poor	More than 300

Reference = https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/environmental-information/air-quality/pm10-particles-in-the-air

PM 1.0 Level ug/m3: Level of Concern

With average PM1 concentrations across all 26 cities measured by researchers at 42.5 µg/m^3^, study data suggested that emergency room visits increased significantly for every rise in PM1 of 10 μg/m^3^, with effects lasting up to 2 days after the initial spike in PM1 concentrations.

Rerence = https://www.iqair.com/us/newsroom/pm1

HCHO

Reference = https://www.researchgate.net/figure/HCHO-Formaldehyde-level-of-emissions-and-side-effect-in-ppm-mg-m3-Reference-Alsarrag_tbl2_339028205