Chemical Insights Earns Top Project of the Year Award from Environment + Energy Leader

Project focused on characterizing and assessing particle and chemical emissions from 3D printers

Chemical Insights, an Institute of Underwriters Laboratories, announced today its research on the human health risks associated with 3D printer emissions has received a Top Project of the Year Award in the elite Environment + Energy Leader Awards program. The program’s expert judges consider this study a prime example of the important work being done today in the fields of energy and environmental management.

3D printers have been gaining popularity, but they also pose a human health concern from the potential release of volatile organic chemicals and ultrafine particles into the air. Chemical Insights partnered with the Georgia Institute of Technology to perform an in-depth, two-year study to mitigate indoor air pollution risks and advance the availability of low emission 3D printers.

The research developed methodology to identify and assess toxicity risks of the emissions released during 3D printer operation. As a result, the first ANSI Standard, ANSI/CAN/UL 2904, addressing chemical pollution and reducing its impact on human health was developed. The “Standard Method for Testing and Assessing Particle and Chemical Emissions from 3D Printers” contains measurement and assessment protocols for the emissions from these machines so that comparative and consistent data can be obtained. It also assures manufacturers and users that their machine has been tested and meets low emission criteria.

One judge from the Environment + Energy Leader Awards program said of Chemical Insights’ research, “This fills a critical gap in health and safety protocols that will be more and more important over the coming years, not only in risk assessment, but also in mitigation steps. It has been overdue and will have long-term significant impact on maintaining health and safety for employees and for private users of 3D printers.”

Another added, “Prior to this project, there was no methodology to identify and assess toxicity risks of the emissions released during 3D printer operation. In my opinion, this was a very successful project in terms of environmental management and reaching both a company milestone and global milestone.”

The Environment + Energy Leader Awards is a program recognizing excellence in products and services that provide companies with energy and environmental benefits, and in projects implemented by companies that improved environmental or energy management and increased the bottom line.

“With rapid advancements and a near-constant rate of change in the field, sustainability and energy professionals had to prove to our judges that they were really the best of the best this year,” said Sarah Roberts, publisher of Environment + Energy Leader.

“Winning this award is an honor for the entire Underwriters Laboratories team and reinforces the fact that our research is making a difference in everyday life,” said Dr. Marilyn Black, vice president and senior technical advisor for Chemical Insights. “It is our mission to achieve a safe, healthy and sustainable future for people and our planet.”

About Chemical Insights Research Institute

As an institute of Underwriters Laboratories, we deliver the scientific insight policymakers, healthcare providers, business leaders and consumers depend on to make informed environmental health decisions. Combining the best minds, rigorous scientific research and a commitment for thorough and accurate results, Chemical Insights is improving the health of people and the planet.

Our work lets people around the world know what chemicals are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we interact with every day. Our research and initiatives gives them the knowledge of exactly what those chemicals are, how they may affect human health, and how to manage their impact. Our leadership role is to provide science or knowledge to implement improved practices, alternative product design, and changes that enable safer products and healthier environments.

To learn more, please visit chemicalinsights.org.

About Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the UL public safety mission through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being. To learn more, visit UL.org.

About the Environment + Energy Leader Awards

For nearly a decade, the Environment + Energy Leader Awards have celebrated excellence in the world of environmental, sustainability and energy management. Award winners are truly buzz-worthy, and companies that sport a Top Project or Top Product of the Year Award badge are known to be the best of the best. When other companies are seeking a sustainability or energy management solution, they know that E+E Product of the Year Award winners offer a significant group of products, vetted by experts, to peruse for help in making their decisions. Project of the Year Award winners are known to illustrate how sustainability and energy management projects can successfully help other companies improve the bottom line.

Contacts
Catherine Mootz
Arketi Group for Chemical Insights
O: 404.929.0091 ext. 211
M: 702.622.2385
cmootz@arketi.com