Evaluation of aerosolized 3D printer emissions in a murine asthma model 3061

Abstract Description Occupational asthma is a public health burden caused by exposure to various agents in the workplace. 3D printing is a new a emerging industry that uses filament materials capable of producing ultrafine particulates and volatile organic compounds. Exposure to emissions from 3D printing has been implicated in increased incidence of asthma. The goal of this study was to investigate pulmonary function in mice exposed to emissions from 3D printing with polycarbonate filament using a mouse model of asthma. Female Balb/c mice were exposed to aerosolized emission generated from 3D printing at 2.5 mg/m3 or air control for 30 days, 4 h/day, 4 days/week. Mice were sensitized to the experimental allergen ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injections and intratracheal instillations. To evaluate the effects of 3D printing emissions on pulmonary function, whole-body plethysmography was used to measure bronchial reactivity 24 h after the last exposure. An increase in airway hyperreactivity was observed in mice exposed to 3D printing emissions compared to air-only controls. OVA-specific IgE levels and alterations in lung pathology in exposed mice confirmed changes observed in airway hyperreactivity. The findings from this study suggest that emissions from 3D printing with polycarbonate filament results in enhanced airway reactivity and support the need for additional investigation into the role of 3D printing in occupational asthma. Topic Categories Immediate Hypersensitivity, Asthma, and Allergic Responses (HYP)