Soldering Fume Extractor

solder : Solder is used by the assembly workers in many industries to make electrical connections and seal copper pipe during plumbing installations. It is typically available in a wire made from various metals with a core of flux on the inside. Soldering is accomplished by heating the two items to be connected with a soldering iron and touching the heated points with the solder, which melts, flows and solidifies to form a permanent connection. Flux helps to prevent the oxidation during the soldering Fume Extractor process.

Solder fumes

Solder fumes are composed of metal vapors from the solder and gas from the evaporated solder flux .Soldering melts metal alloys with low melting points to create a bond, releasing metal vapors into the air. When using an solder flux, the soldering irons are heats the solder flux to aid in the bond formation, turning the solder flux into a gaseous state.

This combination of the exposure to solder vapors and gases can cause the operator lasting health effects depending on the type of solder and the solder flux as well as duration the frequency of the application of Soldering Fume Extractor.

Fumes are generated during metal welding have toxic effects on the human body. The types and quantities of such effects depend on the density and duration of exposure time to the fumes. Moreover, the types of fumes generated during welding or Soldering is dependents on the electrodes or wires used. These fumes cover a wide spectrum from formaldehyde to metal fumes such as lead and Sternum.

Exposure to such a pollutants, particularly insufficient ventilation of workplaces increases the concentrations of fumes in the breathing air and hence can increase health risk factors.

Early symptoms of the fume exposure can include:

Watering, irritated eyes
Runny or Stuffy nose
Throat Pain
Coughing
Wheezing

In addition to proper ventilation, employees must wear proper PPE to protect themselves from other soldering hazards. Protective clothing are such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and gloves prevents burns from splashes of hot solder. Protective eyewear, such as a safety glasses or goggles.

Effects of Soldering Fumes

The dangers of carbon monoxide are very well documented and formaldehyde has been linked to causing serious breathing problems, has been linked to cancer, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), damage to the nervous system, nausea, vomiting, mood changes, depression, insomnia, etc. The list goes on.

Solid particulates are no matter how “non-toxic” or “clean” they are, are still foreign bodies in your lungs. The largest particulate in the solder fume is around 10 microns and the smallest is around 0.3 microns. The average human hair is around an 100 microns and human eyes can see below 30 microns unaided.

This means that the solid particles are fine dust, basically are small enough to pass into your lungs into the soft tissues and gas exchange chambers. Here it becomes lodged, and here it causes irreparable damage to your lungs.

Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD’s) are a common effect of long-term exposure to dust particles that get into the deep workings of your lungs.

Soldering fumes are occupational health hazard caused by heavy metal vapors that can be breathed in.

Proper ventilation throughout the shop in key.
Fume extractors should be always used at soldering workstations.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) will prevent contact with the heavy metals that could cause toxicity.

Soldering Fume Extractor – Safety Steps : Wear safety glasses or goggles whenever you solder a spatter of 370 °F molten metal or 300 °F boiling flux in the eye will ruin your day, week, etc. Use an fume extractor or noxious organic fume mask to keep the vaporized flux out of your lungs.

First Aid

- Any burns should be immersed in cold water for 15 minutes right away.
- If they wound is deep or extensive, seek medical attention. otherwise, cover it with a plaster or band aid.

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