Assessment of the carcinogenic potential of particulate matter and organic compound mixtures generated from 3D printing devices in Balb/c 3T3-1-1 cells

Fused deposition 3D printers using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) and various materials used as inks in 3D printers are used without risk assessment. Thus, hazards associated with 3D printer materials need to be determined. As a follow-up to previous research on particulate matter (PM) generated during 3D printing using ABS and PLA filaments, this study aims to investigate the carcinogenic potential of mixtures containing 3D printing-emitted PM and organic solvents. Cytotoxicity, cell transformation, cell cycle and apoptosis assays, cancer-related gene expression, telomere analysis, and miRNA analysis were performed using 1% and 10% ABS and 1% and 10% PLA. No effects on telomeres and apoptosis were observed; however, the expression of carcinogenesis-related genes, HMGAs, was slightly increased in the lactic acid-exposed group. Cell cycle analysis showed an increase in the number of cells in the S phase in the test article-exposed group. Up- and down-regulated microRNAs associated with carcinogenesis were also observed, while cell transformation assays could not be concluded as positive. Additionally, transformed foci were observed in some test article-exposed groups. While the mixture of particulates and organic solvents produced during 3D printing with ABS and PLA filaments exhibited no definitive carcinogenicity, some variations were evident in the cell transformation assay. The changes in HMGA gene expression, cell cycle, and miRNA analysis are thought to be attributed to exposure to the test substances. Therefore, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of action underpinning the observed effects to definitively establish whether they are related to exposure to the test substances.