Commercially available 3D printers give off asthma-causing nanoparticles.
The ultrafine particles (UFPs) could also cause cardiorespiratory illnesses and stroke, Medical News Today reported.
Researchers at the University of Illinois measured the concentration of UFP emissions in an enclosed office sized space with a 3D printer.
During the study, nine 3D printers were used to create small plastic figurines over different periods of time.
The researchers found the printers using a lower temperature produced 20 billion UFP particles per minute, high temperature printers emitted up to 200 billion.
The release rate is similar to what would be found when using an electric stove or burning scented candles. "Regardless, the desktop 3D printers measured herein can all be classified as 'high emitters' with UFP emission rates greater than 1010 particles per minute," the researchers said.
It was also noted the particles could be more toxic due to a different chemical composition.
"More controlled experiments should be conducted to more fundamentally evaluate aerosol emissions from a wider arrange of desktop 3D printers and feedstocks," the researchers said.
UFPs lodge in the pulmonary and alveolar areas of the lungs extremely easily, Gizmodo reported.
The particles can also build up in head airways and even the brain through the olfactory nerve.
Gizmodo suggested wearing protective clothing and using the device in a well-ventilated area.
"Your Cubify can be as dangerous as a cigarette. Be careful when you make your Yoda head," Citron Research tweeted.
3D printing popularity is on the rise, not only in science, but for personal use as well, TechCrunch reported.
The gadgets are currently out of most people's price range, but Gartner (a technology research firm) predicts they will cost less than $2,000 by 2016.
"The current cost of 3D printing relegates it to the well-off hobbyist or successful small businesses,"TechCrunch said.
