![]() ![]() Position the extractor hose directly above the area you are soldering and make sure it is working properly before going anywhere near the area being soldered. If you are doing a lot of soldering make sure you take a lot of breaks and get some fresh air inside you as well as having a decent extractor that sucks well. Like cigarettes, the fumes can also be invisible to the naked eye, but are more damaging. I had no idea how damaging those fumes could be. ![]() I had no previous lung problems before that job, I was physically fit, 6' 5" tall, 17 stones and I was 38 years old at that time. This thread is old but I thought i'd post it in case anybody new reads it.ĭownload the safety data sheet from the internet for the solder wire you are using and read the hazards before using it. ![]() I was employed in that position for 18 months only and am now registered disabled with lung damage after being challenge tested at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. I have occupational asthma from solder fumes containing Rosin (colophony) after my job as an RF Development technician. Trust me, it's not worth the risk and I'm talking from experience. Invest in a good extractor, not a cheap one. #Non toxic soldering flux freeOther solder wires that are Rosin free cause other health problems and are rubbish to solder with. This causes asthma if you are over exposed and is irreversible. The best solder wire contains something called Rosin that helps the solder flow when hot. Consult the SDS for the brand of material you are using and keep it on file to make sure you are protecting yourself properly.All solder fumes can cause occupational asthma and other health problems (leaded and lead-free) if used for long periods at a time. The bottom line is that it is important to protect yourself from ingesting or breathing lead dust or acid fumes that can compound over time and damage your health. Summary of Protection Recommended during Soldering Using common zinc chloride-based stained glass flux? This type of flux is corrosive to skin, eyes and internal organs. Simply using a rosin core solder wire? The rosin flux is listed by OSHA as only an “inhalation sensitizer”, but Lead is listed as a carcinogen. Look for a respirator that is rated to filter acid gases. It is, however, recommended that fume extraction be used and/or a respirator type of face mask is worn (N95). Most of these fumes escape in the air, but if you are close enough to the solder joint you could breathe in some of these fumes.Įach flux mixture has it’s own Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from the manufacturer or vendor describing the hazards and the precautions to take. During the soldering process, fluxes are heated to the reflow temperature of the solder, converting some of the flux ingredients to gas fumes. In applications where there are large amounts of leaded parts that handled, the lead dust could also become airborne and would require wearing a safety mask.įluxes are chemical mixtures containing acids, sometimes solvents and other chemicals. This same situation would apply in battery manufacturing, gun ranges (leaded ammunition) and other industrial applications. So, for most users’ soldering applications, it’s the dust or residue from touching the solder itself that can cause a health issue. Solder metal will only create fumes if heated above ~ 1200☏, which won’t happen in normal soldering applications whether using a soldering iron or a pot. It is preferable to wear gloves, and leave the gloves on the bench or wear disposable ones. Therefore, it’s critical that you wash your hands with soap and water whenever you step away from the workbench. This is the route in which lead can get into your system, as most exposure to lead occurs through breathing or eating. It’s important to note that if your solder contains lead and you hold the solder wire or bar, you will get lead dust on your hands. When soldering, most people do not wear gloves and hold the iron and solder wire by hand. Flux, an acid mixture, is always used in conjunction with the solder to permit the molten solder to bond with the surfaces being joined. Solder is used in many industries from electronics and sheet metal to stained glass. ![]()
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