3D Printing, VOC's & My Health - Oh My...

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

{I Truly wonder if ANYONE gets the Joke of the Subject line - and it's particular format?!?!?}

I've been planning on making this posting for a little while now, about this Problem of mine, although I did DM one person in the forum here that I communicated to about this problem!

AT work recently - like about 2 weeks ago or so - my co-worker made an Interesting observation! And, after he said it - it got me thinking - and he really is RIGHT!

That is - he noted that I have been coughing more - and - Worse part - the coughing sounds like a Smokers Hack - and I do NOT Smoke - Not Cigarettes - and almost NEVER the Wacky Tobaccy either - as it's just TOO DAMN Strong these days!

I Have Slowed down a bit lately, not been doing much 3D Printing - which is a Bummer - as there are SO Many projects I want to complete!!!

So, yup - I feel that the VOC's have Affected BADLY Again. Last time, it was back in like 2021 - I was working at Grumman in Redondo Beach, at the Height of the Covid epidemic. I ended up working on a Paid project for a buddy of mine in San Diego at a BioTech co. - and he needed a reprint of project parts - funnels and racks - that I had designed. I was printing them in my bedroom where I lived - and like 50 small funnels (in ABS - the Worst) - and then like 10 rack units(in PLA). Then, at work - I started clearing my throat more and more - and felt this kind of Chest congestion. Suddenly, I realized my mistake. And, since it was Covid times - and I KNEW it was NOT Covid causing my coughs - I worked from home for a Week (and, CEASED All 3D Printing).

But, now again - I'm printing - on my wonderful Elegoo Carbon - then realized I am coughing more.

So - NOW it's time to DEAL with this Crappy issue!

I've had a whole bunch of thoughts on how to deal with venting of the VOC's. Including shutting the printer in the bathroom when it's running - and using the bathroom fan to try and get the particles out. But, my co-worker bitches that the particles are TOO Heaving - and a high up bathroom fan won't do anything!

I was even looking at the BiQu Panda device (  BIQU Panda Breath Smart Air Filtration and Heating System with Precise – Biqu Equipment   ) - although - for a while there - I kept checking this webpage - and people were Bitching cause BiQu didn't release the product! But, going there today - it seems it NOW Is available for Purchase!

The other thought was to again keep printer in my bathroom, only print whilst a work - but, put a floor standing Air Filtration unit next to it!!!

So - Yeah - I want to know what other folks think about this. And - what's the Best solution!!!

BRING IT ON!

-Kurt

[Ed Street]

Short answer to VOC is this.   

DO   NOT   VENT!!!!!!

Instead, trap it inside a recirculating active carbon filter.  That way it won't end up in bad places like your body.

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

That's kinda Tough to do. For 2 reasons. 

1 - If printing in PLA - My printer is required to have lid off and door open. 

-AND-

2 - Even if it's Shut - and I do NOT Print PLA - only things like PETG & PCTG - there is still a Poop shoot on the printer. And, I don't think the Elegoo Carbon has a built in Carbon air filter...

The BiQu device MIGHT indeed be a good solution for me - but, I hesitate to buy it - unless other have done so and confirmed it's a viable option that works well. 

In the end, what you say Does make sense - I just need to figure out a proper implementation!

-K

[Bryan Eckert]

Kurt, I too am coughing a lot, trouble breathing, etc. - not due to VOCs, but because it's cold and DRY out. In a month I won't be doing it anymore. 

Also, I feel like people get it wrong. VOC's are extremely short lived. They bind very quickly to solid particles (ultrafine particles and dust). Which is why when you smell something the smell subsides. It's these particles that can cause health issues when things like styrene from ABS bind to them and get inhaled. 

I have an air quality meter in the room, and VOC meter skyrockets when I take the cap off my Dimafix, or when cooking, or when my wife walks in due to perfume. When printing, it doesn't budge. At all. 2.5 particles may rise slightly. On my open bed V400 it picks up, but nothing ever goes into the red. 

I have a Voxel Vento filter on the back of my H2C, so I can vent the chamber after an ABS print since the back exhaust doesn't get filtered like the chamber. It's a HEPA/Charcoal filter like the one in the chamber and works well. I don't think they make a frame for the Elegoo but Im sure if you look around you can find one. There are lots of HEPA/charcoal filter mounts for the Elegoo on Makerworld. Which is really all you need for PLA.

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[Ed Street]

Keep in mind to just because PLA is 'safer than ABS/ASA' does not make it harmless.  There are still VOC emissions and other things.   I think I just invalidated a good 80%+ of the community's flawed thinking: PLA is 'safe,' so nothing is needed.  Many chemicals you can grow 'allergies' to; they build up over time with usage, and they become a serious problem.

Given that, a TRUE HEPA filter with active charcoal is about the only thing that would trap them properly.  Does this mean most 3d printers have a design flaw in this regard?  Yes, yes, they do!

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Bryan - I suspect you're right - about winter weather causing me to cough more - it does seem to make sense! 

Now - your suggestion of "HEPA/charcoal filter mounts for the Elegoo on Makerworld" - I did indeed just now look them up and I found several options - which I will get to in a moment. 

However, you made the comment of - "Which is really all you need for PLA" - are saying that it's sufficient for PLA - but, NOT Sufficient for PETG/PCTG/ABS? And, it's really ABS that Stinks the most!!! But, I Seriously want to print ABS as well!

I'm looking to head over to MicroCenter today - get me some more filament - but, also - some HEPA/charcoal filter sheets. 

Here are some printable frames I saw on MakerWorld:

     Centauri Carbon HEPA Filter - Free 3D Print Model - MakerWorld

     Centauri Carbon HEPA + Active Carbon filter - Free 3D Print Model - MakerWorld

I also saw this bucket - to attached to back of printer to the Poop Chute:

     Shit bucket for Centauri carbon - Free 3D Print Model - MakerWorld

I figured that would make sense - not only to catch the Purges - but, also to help Trap the VOC's inside the printer - and make sure the only access is via for particles & air flow is via the Filter unit!

So - folks - any feedback would be Greatly appreciated!!!

-K

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 9:20:22 AM UTC-5 Bryan Eckert wrote:

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Ed - I TOTALLY Agree with you - re: 3DP Design Flaw!!!

-K

[Bryan Eckert]

Air filters for VOC's are activated carbon, which the VOCs bind to. The HEPA captures particles the VOCs have already bound to.

My H2C is great for ABS/ASA because it is sealed (even the poop chute), and the air recirculates through the filters. 

Blasting it once through the filter isn't going to capture everything but it definitely will reduce by a significant amount. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/3d-printing-tips--tricks/0028d3a0-0cab-4c75-b1d8-318503197c05n%40googlegroups.com.

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

I'm SO Jealous of you and your H2C!

My trip to MicroCenter today was Mostly a Failure - in regards to help for Filters! Ugh...

More on that soon...

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

I found it Completely Abysmal - and also Inline with what Ed said about 3D Printer designs - and the lack of the co's considering the VOC's and the effects on Humanoids - that I would go into MicroCenter - and the ONLY THING They had for air filtering was this unit for the X1C:

     Bambu Lab Activated Carbon Air Filter for X1 - Micro Center

It was Cheap - so I bought it - figuring I could Potentially make use of it - and, as my Centauri is essentially a knockoff of the X1C - I should be able to implement it. 

But, Can I???

-K

[Bryan Eckert]

Here you go kurt:
https://www.printables.com/model/1263262-elegoo-centauri-carbon-filter-holder-for-voxelpla

Also, the VoxelPLA version of the filter is both HEPA and carbon, and costs less!

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[Bryan Eckert]

Kurt here's the frame for the Voxel Vento, which I have on the back of my H2. Much larger filter so air flow is better. You can probably take this frame and modify it to fit the Centuri:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/1805347-vento-air-filter-for-bambu-lab-h2-printers#profileId-1925503

[Kurt]

Bryan - thanks SO Much for your follow-up! 

BOOM - it's DONE! I just ordered the  VoxelPLA filter - actually got Five of them - so that I got FREE Shipping!

I may start with the Printables parts - and print them up ASAP - in prep for getting the delivery by like either this Thur. or Friday. And - Bang - I'm gonna start Seriously Cranking on printing parts!!!

-K

[Bryan Murphy]

Are you going to do anything else to your CC1 to help seal the cracks?  I'm tempted to do that with mine as well as adding some extra insulation to the inside panels.

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[david merten]

Hey get all your improvements done to the carbon and let me know how they work. I am about ready to get one. It has several features i can really use now. And I am impressed with what I have heard on this group. It keeps calling my name......

       David

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[Dan Flemming]

Have you ever thought it might be your ac unit contaminated with mold & mildew?

  I recently had this coughing, but I have hepa filters to filter my 3d printer air.

  I removed the front panel on my 4 ton ac unit and was shocked at how much black mold was inside the fan unit housing!

  I wished I'd taken pictures, you puld have squirmed at the sickly site. 

  My ac vendor wanted $450 to clean it, I did it for free, and it only took me 45 minutes (because I was cautious and not sure of how to proceed).

  Then I asked them about a light that kills the mold & mildew, they wanted $650!

  I bought on on Amazon and installed it myself for $70, then bought a wifi plug (4 for <$20 and created a timer to run 4 hours on, 4 hours off.

  Made a world of difference for me!

  Now I'm thinking of buying a system to kill all the mold & mildew in my overhead ductwork.

  Found a few, but they aren't cheap, but still under $300 for a decent one.

  This may not be your problem, but a new location might have this problem, it don't cost nothing to find out.

  Simple turn off the power, take the panel off and see if you can find mold...

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/3d-printing-tips--tricks/CAPZzpqtiGXcSkwOAkwCy-hgvvtvjMxVViXPBoN0XbTGzCq1JwQ%40mail.gmail.com.