Sensitivity to PLA+

[Mark Steele]

I've recently developed a severe sensitivity to PLA+. I truly think it is a specific brand, but because it affects both me and my wife, I have not been able to print other brands to test the theory - the symptoms are rather severe; sore throat, joint pain and an eczema-like rash.

I tried moving my printing to the basement, which helps but eventually the symptoms return. I have an enclosure and some home brewed N100 filter units, but we still have issues.

So now I print PETG exclusively and have not had any symptoms.

I wanted to start a discussion with a couple of threads:

- have you ever experienced sensitivity to your 3D printing hobby / business?

- Any specific materials?

- Any specific brands (no naming / shaming please)?

Thanks.

[TobyCWood]

Wow. First I've heard of it... but that does not mean I think it is not real. If it is happening to you then it is real.

I have had a similar experience with woodworking. I had to stop because the wood dust was getting me very sick. I have to avoid the woodworking shop at the local Makerspace when it's in full use. If your environment does not have real good ventilation (and it sounds like it doesn't) you should rethink your home maker space, because PETG and just about every other AM material will have outgassing of particulates which we can easily inhale.

[jmpr...@gmail.com]

I don't have any sensitivities but I did know a women who couldn't even touch PLA because of a severe corn allergy.

[LukeH]

It would actually be interesting to see how much PLA is actually in some of these “PLA+” filaments from various suppliers.

There are no set specifications for 3D printer filament types, and certainly no legal definitions, or requirements to have any actual PLA in a product sold for 3D printers  as “PLA”, for example.

Some additives are added deliberately to control melting temperature, or as a dye to colour the filament, or to make it more flexible, or to give it a “silk” lustre, or whatever. Some additives are just filler to make the filament cheaper to produce. Some “additives” are just contamination, because the filament was made with recycled material, or was made in an open factory, or whatever.

There would also be products with PLA sourced from sugar cane, rather than corn.

I’m sure there are “PLA” products out there that don’t have any PLA in them at all - they are just some other cheap plastic, like HDPE, PET,  or whatever, with agents in them to make adjust the melting point to around 200 degrees.

Filament certainly doesn’t come from just one big factory and get branded by various resellers. 

I think it would make for an interesting analysis.

It is also why I tend to stick to specific brands of filament, rather than just buying whatever is cheapest on eBay or Amazon, since that means I can get reliable results, and can tune my printers accordingly.

[Alan Biocca]

PLA is used in a lot of common plastic items. I wonder what is actually in PLA+, and whether it is used in injection molding.

I've used a lot of eSun PLA+ and have not had any reactions. Enclosing and venting the printer outdoors might be the best approach. 

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[Vishal Pai]

I am developing my own Filament line and the reason this allergy is caused is from additives (+possible other granules like PP) in the PLA that have high VOCs. 

I can guarantee that this is a cheap roll (<17/kg on Amazon) 

Discontinue that brand and move to a better brand. 

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