Solder Fume Air Purifier - Activated Carbon Filter & Hepa Filter Systems by SAS

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THE HAZARDS OF SOLDER FUMES

The fumes produced from soldering operations are potentially dangerous. The process may generate a fume which is a combination of lead oxide (from lead based solder) and colophony (from the solder flux). Each of these constituents has been shown to be potentially hazardous. These hazards are described separately below:

LEAD OXIDE

The following paragraph was extracted from OSHA's website (www.osha.gov)

"Lead is used in the soldering process in the form of lead/silver filler metals. When heated, lead oxide fumes are formed. Excessive exposure to lead oxide fumes can result in lead poisoning. Symptoms include loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, abdominal cramps, nervousness, and insomnia. Lead is absorbed through the mucous membranes of the lung, stomach, or intestines and then enters the bloodstream".

The following is extracted directly from the warning label on a roll of 60/40 rosin core solder.

"WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS LEAD AND MAY CONTAIN OTHER TOXIC METALS OR CHEMICALS. Ingestion or inhalation of fumes or particles released through processing could cause lead poisoning or cancer. Absorption of lead is known to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm and may result for example in damage to the blood and neurological systems. Use only with adequate ventilation. Use NIOSH approved respiratory protection when necessary. Wash thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking. Not for use in portable water service systems. THIS PRODUCT ON FILE WITH ROCKY MOUNTAIN POISON CONTROL CENTER".

OSHA currently defines the exposure limit on "lead inorganic fumes and dusts" to be .05 mg/m3 SOURCE: US DOL/OSHA 5/23/2001.

COLOPHONY

Colophony is produced from the heating of a rosin based flux. Research has shown colophony to be not only a serious health hazard, but one of six most common causes of occupational asthma. Non-rosin fluxes such as synthetics and no-cleans have been found to be even more irritating than rosin fluxes. Colophony may contain many harmful constituents from acetone to carbon monoxide.

In its website, OSHA refers to the ACGIH TLV on Rosin Core Solder Pyrolysis Products which recommends to "reduce exposure to as low as possible".

Sentry Air Systems, Inc. provides this information as a customer service, but cannot be responsible for its accuracy or completeness. It is recommended that competent legal authorities as well as safety and hygiene professionals be consulted.