This blog is being shared under the SOT Secretary’s name as part of their official duties and should not be interpreted as their personal or professional opinions.
This blog was written by Talia Sager.
I spoke with Qian Zhang, PhD, UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights, during the 2026 Poster Session “Mixtures” to learn about insights shared in her poster “Inhalation Exposure Risks from Resin 3D Printing Used in the Dental Field.” The presented work offers important considerations for air quality and exposure safety as the dental field increasingly relies on vat photopolymerization 3D printing, which involves a process of layering and curing photopolymer resins with light. Dr. Zhang noted that this research began after someone from a dental school reached out regarding exposure concerns.
Resin-Based 3D printing is commonly used for making dentures, surgical guides, crowns, and other dental components. To better understand the possible exposure risks, Chemical Insights’s research team at the Center for Analytical and Exposure Science examined how various stages of the resin printing workflow influence the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Using a full-scale chamber study, they evaluated emissions during active printing and the post-printing processes of washing and curing. They also used a micro-scale chamber to evaluate emissions solely from dental resin at room temperature when no printing was taking place.
VOCs were observed at every stage of the printing process, influenced by factors such as resin formulation, solvent use, and curing reactions. Notably, resins released measurable VOCs even when not in operation, with emissions associated with the material’s composition and age. These findings demonstrate that VOCs emerge even before printing starts and continue well after the process ends, suggesting a continuous release of chemicals from resins.
Several compounds identified through this testing fall into categories associated with lung, eye, and skin irritation or longer-term health concerns, depending on exposure levels and duration. In some chamber tests, overall VOC concentrations rose quickly, within about half an hour, highlighting the importance of understanding ventilation and handling practices.
Altogether, the findings offer a clearer picture of how resin 3D printing might impact indoor air quality and lead to exposure challenges in dental environments. This work highlights the value of thoughtful material selection and effective exposure-reduction strategies as the dental field increasingly adopts advanced manufacturing technologies.
This blog reports on the poster titled “Inhalation Exposure Risks from Resin 3D Printing Used in the Dental Field” that was shared during the 2026 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.
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