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Operation-specific and time-resolved monitoring of occupational nano/sub-micron particle exposure in a Swedish metal additive manufacturing facility.

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Title: Operation-specific and time-resolved monitoring of occupational nano/sub-micron particle exposure in a Swedish metal additive manufacturing facility.
Authors: Andersson, Lena1 (AUTHOR), Alijagic, Andi2 (AUTHOR), Johansson, Anders3 (AUTHOR), Engwall, Magnus4 (AUTHOR), Särndahl, Eva5 (AUTHOR), Hedbrant, Alexander5 (AUTHOR)
Source: Annals of Work Exposures & Health. Jun2026, Vol. 70 Issue 4, p1-15. 15p.
Subjects: Air analysis, Air pollution, Risk assessment, Environmental monitoring, Lasers, Dust, Research funding, Personal protective equipment, Metallurgy, Work environment, Air filters, Descriptive statistics, Occupational exposure, Particulate matter, Three-dimensional printing, Nanoparticles, Industrial hygiene
Geographic Terms: Sweden
Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine nano/sub-micron particle and dust exposure levels throughout the whole workflow at a Swedish metal additive manufacturing (AM) facility, focusing on the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) method. By evaluating particle levels and composition across different AM processes using both stationary and personal sampling, the study sought to improve exposure assessment and inform protective measures in the metal AM workplaces. Measurements were conducted during five measurement weeks, as five working days Monday–Friday, between October 2020 and October 2023. Personal particle measurements in the breathing zone were performed on Mondays and Fridays for 1 to 3 workers per day. Stationary particle and dust sampling were performed continuously at three locations each week to capture task-specific and temporal variation in emissions. Nano/sub-micron particle concentrations ranged from 0 to 3.3 million particles/cm3, with the highest peaks recorded in the post-processing area. Elevated levels were also detected, near the depowdering machine, by the bandsaw, and in the lunchroom, while levels near the printers were low (<10,000 particles/cm3). Personal exposure peaks occurred during printer cleaning, feedstock powder filling, dust removal with compressed air, post-processing, and packing. In contrast to the increased nano/sub-micron particle levels observed, respirable, and inhalable dust levels were very low. The study highlights the need to monitor particle exposure during both manufacturing and post-processing. Health risks associated with airborne particles are influenced by both exposure levels and the toxicological properties of materials. To ensure a safe and sustainable future for metal AM, comprehensive exposure assessment, risk evaluation, and the implementation of protective measures remain essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Annals of Work Exposures & Health is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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  Data: Operation-specific and time-resolved monitoring of occupational nano/sub-micron particle exposure in a Swedish metal additive manufacturing facility.
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  Data: The aim of the study was to determine nano/sub-micron particle and dust exposure levels throughout the whole workflow at a Swedish metal additive manufacturing (AM) facility, focusing on the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) method. By evaluating particle levels and composition across different AM processes using both stationary and personal sampling, the study sought to improve exposure assessment and inform protective measures in the metal AM workplaces. Measurements were conducted during five measurement weeks, as five working days Monday–Friday, between October 2020 and October 2023. Personal particle measurements in the breathing zone were performed on Mondays and Fridays for 1 to 3 workers per day. Stationary particle and dust sampling were performed continuously at three locations each week to capture task-specific and temporal variation in emissions. Nano/sub-micron particle concentrations ranged from 0 to 3.3 million particles/cm3, with the highest peaks recorded in the post-processing area. Elevated levels were also detected, near the depowdering machine, by the bandsaw, and in the lunchroom, while levels near the printers were low (&lt;10,000 particles/cm3). Personal exposure peaks occurred during printer cleaning, feedstock powder filling, dust removal with compressed air, post-processing, and packing. In contrast to the increased nano/sub-micron particle levels observed, respirable, and inhalable dust levels were very low. The study highlights the need to monitor particle exposure during both manufacturing and post-processing. Health risks associated with airborne particles are influenced by both exposure levels and the toxicological properties of materials. To ensure a safe and sustainable future for metal AM, comprehensive exposure assessment, risk evaluation, and the implementation of protective measures remain essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: &lt;i&gt;Copyright of Annals of Work Exposures &amp; Health is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder&#39;s express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.&lt;/i&gt; (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1093/annweh/wxag040
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Air analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Air pollution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Risk assessment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Environmental monitoring
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lasers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Dust
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Personal protective equipment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Metallurgy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Air filters
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Occupational exposure
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Particulate matter
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Three-dimensional printing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nanoparticles
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Industrial hygiene
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sweden
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Operation-specific and time-resolved monitoring of occupational nano/sub-micron particle exposure in a Swedish metal additive manufacturing facility.
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            NameFull: Andersson, Lena
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            NameFull: Alijagic, Andi
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            NameFull: Johansson, Anders
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            NameFull: Särndahl, Eva
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 23987308
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              Value: 70
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            – TitleFull: Annals of Work Exposures & Health
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