When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as airplane and automobile parts to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in the 1980s as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and patient-specific models to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
Polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been found in air, water, animals, and humans around the globe. PFC compounds and their metabolites may have adverse health effects. Diet is considered to be the main human exposure pathway, but the link between concentrations in air and blood serum had not been studied before.
A new study of office workers in Boston shows that the concentrations are connected, writes Michael Woods, who is Assistant Director for Science Communications in the American Chemical Society’s Office of Public Affairs.
Woods writes:
In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists are reporting that the indoor air in offices is an important source of worker exposure to potentially toxic substances released by carpeting, furniture, paint and other items. Their report… documents a link between levels of these so-called polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in office air and in the blood of workers.
The research team from the U.S. and Canada collected air samples in several office buildings over four days. At the end of the air study, they collected blood samples from 31 office workers, who also answered questionnaires about their diet and amount of time at work.
The researchers found that the concentrations of a particular PFC called fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) was up to five times higher than previously reported studies of household air, Woods writes. In addition, the researchers “found a strong link between concentrations of FTOH in office air and perfluorooctanoic acid ([PFOA] a metabolite of FTOH) in the blood of office workers,” he writes.
In their journal article, the researchers note that workers who spent more time in the buildings had higher blood PFC concentrations: “Each additional hour worked per week was associated with a 2% increase in serum PFOA.”
The researchers also wrote that new and renovated buildings had the highest air concentrations of PFCs:
Significantly different PFC concentrations were observed between buildings, with the highest FTOH air levels measured in the most recently constructed and furnished building, the next highest found in a partially renovated building, and the lowest air levels found in unrenovated buildings. We hypothesize that the differences in PFC air concentrations by building are due to off-gassing of FTOHs from new carpeting, upholstered furniture, and/or paint in the renovated buildings.
Comments
Post a Comment