Soldering is can be fun, making your creations real is a very good feeling. But one must use care when soldering as it can pose a hazard to your health if proper precautions are not taken.
This information refers more to those who solder a lot or do it for a living. It is still good to know though.
Aside from the well know fire hazard a soldering iron can pose the solder itself can be unhealthy. Not so much the solder, but the fumes that are created while soldering. More and more people are making mods as a hobby and prolonged exposure to the fumes is quite bad for you if you don't ventilate your work space. It is important to solder in a very well ventilated are. Opening a window and turning on a fan may not be enough depending on how much soldering you are doing.
Trust me I have learned first hand. I had a fan directed to move air away from me and outside, but without a air return not enough air was moved compared to the many units I solder. I developed chest pains, soreness and wheezing. I don't want others to make the same mistake as this really hurts. I am getting better but only once I figured out the cause.
Remember soldering can be fun and safe if done right, don't be discouraged, be safe.
Here is some info I found online which contains some great info I think anyone soldering should read.
"Health hazards from inhaling and exposure to soldering fumes.
Manufacturers of flux usually point out that inhaling flux fumes, created when flux is heated to
soldering temperatures, will cause irritation to nose, throat and respiratory organs. Health authorities
also state that extended or repeated exposure to rosin flux may cause hypersensitivity and lead to
occupational asthma.
The base product found in conventional flux is called colophony. Colophony is the
translucent amber-colored rosin obtained when turpentine is distilled from the resin of pine
trees. Colophony has been widely used in soldering processes for many years.
What is Colophony composed of?
Colophony is a mixture of approximately 90% resin acid, mostly abietic acid with 10%
neutral material such as stilbenederivatives, and different kinds of hydrocarbons. When flux
is heated, airborne products are generated including aliphaticaldehydes such as
formaldehyde. Most fluxes are also composed of organic amine hydrochloride, an activator
helping to clean the soldering area. When heated, it releases hydrochloric acid and other
gases containing benzene, toluene, styrene, phenol, chlorophenol and isopropyl alcohol.
What health hazards are related to flux gases?
Studies have been made on workers in the electronic industry, mostly in the United States, and
England. These studies show that at least 20% of the employees working in the soldering area show
clinical symptoms of asthma caused by the work environment. These symptoms are characterized
by coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain. The conclusion of these studies is that
colophony fumes are the main cause of the illness and employee turnover in occupations related to
soldering.
Allergic hypersensitivity is common in soldering occupations. Hypersensitivity to flux fumes and
their symptoms is usually developed from a period of a few months up to 16 years. The average
period before the symptoms are developed is four years. Hypersensitivity of colophony is gradually
indicated by wheezing and labored breathing. These symptoms are much more common by long
duration of employment and they can even continue many years after the person has finished with
this occupation. Eye and nose irritation is quite common, due to the fact that when flux is heated,
the fumes from hydrochloric acid create a strong slime that causes irritation. Furthermore, there
are reports showing that colophony may cause airborne contact skin diseases. This is attributed to
many components in the flux, such as amino ethyl-ethanolamine and hydrazine that are harmful to
the skin.
This information refers more to those who solder a lot or do it for a living. It is still good to know though.
Aside from the well know fire hazard a soldering iron can pose the solder itself can be unhealthy. Not so much the solder, but the fumes that are created while soldering. More and more people are making mods as a hobby and prolonged exposure to the fumes is quite bad for you if you don't ventilate your work space. It is important to solder in a very well ventilated are. Opening a window and turning on a fan may not be enough depending on how much soldering you are doing.
Trust me I have learned first hand. I had a fan directed to move air away from me and outside, but without a air return not enough air was moved compared to the many units I solder. I developed chest pains, soreness and wheezing. I don't want others to make the same mistake as this really hurts. I am getting better but only once I figured out the cause.
Remember soldering can be fun and safe if done right, don't be discouraged, be safe.
Here is some info I found online which contains some great info I think anyone soldering should read.
"Health hazards from inhaling and exposure to soldering fumes.
Manufacturers of flux usually point out that inhaling flux fumes, created when flux is heated to
soldering temperatures, will cause irritation to nose, throat and respiratory organs. Health authorities
also state that extended or repeated exposure to rosin flux may cause hypersensitivity and lead to
occupational asthma.
The base product found in conventional flux is called colophony. Colophony is the
translucent amber-colored rosin obtained when turpentine is distilled from the resin of pine
trees. Colophony has been widely used in soldering processes for many years.
What is Colophony composed of?
Colophony is a mixture of approximately 90% resin acid, mostly abietic acid with 10%
neutral material such as stilbenederivatives, and different kinds of hydrocarbons. When flux
is heated, airborne products are generated including aliphaticaldehydes such as
formaldehyde. Most fluxes are also composed of organic amine hydrochloride, an activator
helping to clean the soldering area. When heated, it releases hydrochloric acid and other
gases containing benzene, toluene, styrene, phenol, chlorophenol and isopropyl alcohol.
What health hazards are related to flux gases?
Studies have been made on workers in the electronic industry, mostly in the United States, and
England. These studies show that at least 20% of the employees working in the soldering area show
clinical symptoms of asthma caused by the work environment. These symptoms are characterized
by coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain. The conclusion of these studies is that
colophony fumes are the main cause of the illness and employee turnover in occupations related to
soldering.
Allergic hypersensitivity is common in soldering occupations. Hypersensitivity to flux fumes and
their symptoms is usually developed from a period of a few months up to 16 years. The average
period before the symptoms are developed is four years. Hypersensitivity of colophony is gradually
indicated by wheezing and labored breathing. These symptoms are much more common by long
duration of employment and they can even continue many years after the person has finished with
this occupation. Eye and nose irritation is quite common, due to the fact that when flux is heated,
the fumes from hydrochloric acid create a strong slime that causes irritation. Furthermore, there
are reports showing that colophony may cause airborne contact skin diseases. This is attributed to
many components in the flux, such as amino ethyl-ethanolamine and hydrazine that are harmful to
the skin.
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