COVID-19: The use of 3D printing to address PPE shortage during a pandemic-a safety perspective

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created a global health crisis that impacted the supply of personal protective equipment and created a shortage of much-needed face shields and masks for essential workers. During this time, a community of manufacturers, academic institutes, and hobbyists came together and tried to address the supply shortage by providing 3D-printed face shields and masks. Although the Secretary of U.S. Department of Human and Health Services and the Food and Drug Administration relaxed some of the liability and product regulations regarding 3D printed medical supplies during the pandemic, the safety of 3D printed face shields and masks is still a concern. In this Review, we have highlighted some of the safety concerns related to printing materials, design consideration, waste generation and disposal, intellectual property and manufacturing regulations, and the sanitization of 3D-printed personal protective equipment.