3D printing has become increasingly popular, but concerns have been raised about the potential health risks of the particles generated during the printing process. A recent study by researchers at the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute aimed to investigate the carcinogenic potential of particulate matter produced from two commonly used 3D printing filaments, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA). The findings provide important insights into the potential cancer risks associated with 3D printing and highlight the need for further research in this area.
Generating 3D Printing Particles
The researchers used a 3D printer to generate particulate matter from ABS and PLA filaments at the recommended printing temperatures of 260°C and 220°C, respectively. The resulting particles had a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 0.156 μm for ABS and 0.173 μm for PLA, indicating that they included nanoscale particles.
Investigating Genetic Damage and Cell Transformation
To assess the potential carcinogenic effects of the 3D printing particles, the researchers performed a series of experiments using Balb/c 3T3-1-1 cells, a cell line derived from mouse cells.
First, they conducted a comet assay to evaluate genetic damage. The results showed no significant DNA damage in cells exposed to either ABS or PLA particles, even at the highest concentrations tested.
Next, the researchers investigated the particles’ ability to induce cell transformation, a key step in the development of cancer. They exposed the cells to varying concentrations of ABS and PLA particles and observed the formation of transformed cell foci, which are indicative of carcinogenic potential. While no transformed foci were observed with ABS exposure, a single transformed focus was detected in both the 10 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL PLA exposure groups.
Analyzing Gene Expression Changes
To further explore the potential mechanisms underlying the carcinogenic effects, the researchers performed microarray analysis to assess changes in gene expression patterns. They found that exposure to ABS and PLA particles led to significant changes in the expression of genes related to cancer pathways, such as those involved in cell cycle regulation, VEGF signaling, and p53 signaling.
Specifically, the researchers observed that exposure to 5 μg/mL of ABS led to a significant increase in the expression of the RBM3 gene and a decrease in the expression of the MPP6 gene, both of which have been implicated in cancer progression.
Assessing Glucose Consumption
The researchers also measured glucose consumption as an indicator of cellular metabolism and potential carcinogenic activity. They found that cells exposed to both ABS and PLA particles exhibited increased glucose consumption compared to the control group, suggesting potential metabolic changes associated with the 3D printing particles.
Conclusions and Implications
The findings from this study suggest that the carcinogenic potential of particulate matter generated from 3D printing devices using ABS and PLA filaments cannot be completely ruled out. While the researchers did not find clear evidence of DNA damage or cell transformation with ABS exposure, the observed changes in gene expression and glucose consumption patterns warrant further investigation.
The researchers conclude that additional research is needed to fully understand the carcinogenic risks associated with 3D printing, particularly in more complex test systems and with a broader analysis of carcinogenesis-related parameters. This study represents an important step in addressing the knowledge gap surrounding the potential health implications of 3D printing technology.
Author credit: This article is based on research by CheolHong Lim, DongSeok Seo.
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