This presentation explains some of the respiratory hazards involved with solder fume and provides respiratory engineering control recommendations that may improve air quality and create a safer working environment. http://www.sentryair.com/solderingapp.htm

1. and some ventilation and fume extraction options.
Presented by: Sentry Air Systems, Inc.

2. Weller®, a manufacturer of soldering and
welding products (among other items),
explains that "at least 20% of the employees
working in the soldering area show clinical
symptoms of asthma caused by the work
environment" in studies that have been done
on workers mostly in the United States and
England in the electronics industry. [3]

3. Soldering is the
process of
combining two
metals via a third
metal (the "joint")
with a lower
melting point
than the base
metals.

4. Lead-based Solder
Many popular solders are manufactured with lead, a
well-known metal with dangerous health hazards.
According to OSHA:
“Lead is used in the soldering process in the form of
lead/tin and lead/silver filler metals. When heated,
Excessive
lead oxide fumes are formed.
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.
According to Kirk-Othmer, lead is absorbed through
the mucous membranes of the lung, stomach, or
intestines and then enters the bloodstream.” [1]

5. Lead-based Solder
"Symptoms include metallic taste in the mouth, loss
of appetite, nausea, abdominal cramps, and
insomnia. In time, anemia and general weakness,
Lead
chiefly in the muscles of the wrists, develop.
adversely affects the brain, central
nervous system, circulatory system,
reproductive system, kidneys, and
muscles." [5]

6. Rosin-based Flux
Flux is a chemical cleaning agent that
is used in conjunction with solder in order to remove
oxidation from the base and filler metals involved in
soldering. It improves the overall flow and effectiveness of
the solder. Rosin-based flux is made from extracts of pine
tree sap and can cause health problems if fumes from
soldering are inhaled. According to the WorkSafe Western
Australia Commission, “short term problems
can include nose, sinus, eye and
throat irritation and skin rashes, and
long term problems may include
asthma and dermatitis.” [2] Occupational
Asthma is a common result of solder fume exposure.

7. Rosin-based Flux
Colophony is the base product of
flux. As explained by Weller®, "Colophony is the
translucent amber-colored rosin obtained when
turpentine is distilled from resin of pine trees." It is
composed of roughly 90% resin acid and 10% neutral
material. When the flux is heated, colophony has
been known to generate fumes
including aliphaticaldehydes (like
formaldehyde) and "hydrochloric
acid and other gases containing
benzene, toluene, styrene, phenol,
chlorophenol and isopropyl alcohol."

8. Rosin-based Flux
The health hazards associated with solder fumes
create long-term discomfort and illness
for employees, and results in
increased employee absence, turn-
over and a high number of worker
claims for damages (Weller® cites that "90% of
all claims in the United States related to soldering
occupations involving respiratory diseases are litigated."
[3])

9. Your Rights as an Employee
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [6]
states that "employers are responsible for providing
safe and healthful workplaces for their employees." It
is your right to inform your employer of workplace
health hazards like poor ventilation during soldering.
(The Whistleblower Protection Program protects
employees who raise health and safety issues to their
employers [7]).
Image Credit: www.whistleblowers.gov

10. Ventilation
Because of the high risk of worker/operator exposure during soldering, OSHA
suggests Ventilation as a key to controlling lead exposures:
“Ventilation,
either local or dilution (general), is probably the
most important engineering control available to the safety and
health professional to maintain airborne concentrations of
lead at acceptable levels. Local exhaust ventilation, which includes both
portable ventilation systems and shrouded tools supplied with ventilation, is
generally the preferred method. If a local exhaust system is properly designed, it
will capture and control lead particles at or near the source of generation and
transport these particles to a collection system before they can be dispersed into
the work environment.” [4]
Source capture also works effectively for soldering that does not involve lead-based
solder. Organizations from The Health and Safety Executive of Great Britain to
solder equipment manufacturers, like Weller®, suggest a fume extraction system
while soldering.
Image Credit: www.ohshub.com

11. Get Ventilated.

12. Here are some
Options.

13. Source-Capture Fume Extraction
Source-capture fume extraction equipment
captures fumes at the source of emission,
before they’re able to escape into the
general working environment.

14. Sentry Air Systems Source-Capture Solder Fume
Extractors are equipped with energy-efficient fans and
high-quality HEPA filtration media that is up to
99.97% efficient on particles 0.3 microns and larger.
Popular Fume Extractor Configurations Include:
• Bench-top Units
• Wall-Mounted Units
• Floor Units

15. Sentry Air Systems Benchtop Solder Fume Extraction Models
The Stainless Steel Solder Sentry is an ESD-Safe solder fume extraction unit. It
is constructed for stationary, benchtop applications that require the capture and
filtration of airborne contaminants at the work surface. This has been proven to
work well for solder fumes and smoke extraction.
Model # SS-100-SS-ST
Stainless Steel Solder Sentry
ESD-Safe

16. Sentry Air Systems Benchtop Solder Fume Extraction Models
The Solder Sentry is built specifically for stationary, benchtop soldering
applications where airborne solder fumes need to be captured at the work
surface. The Solder Sentry is a compact and quiet solder fume extractor that
has a horizontal airflow pattern and captures fumes at the source.
Model # SS-100-SS
Solder Sentry

17. Sentry Air Systems Benchtop Solder Fume Extraction Models
The Solder Pot Sentry is a benchtop solder fume extractor that is designed for
slightly elevated operations such as solder pot applications. The height stand can
be adjusted based on the need of the operator.
Model # SS-100-PS
Solder Pot Sentry

18. Sentry Air Systems Benchtop Solder Fume Extraction Models
The Winged Sentry is a compact benchtop fume extractor that offers a unique
and customized design. It features adjustable “wing flaps” to assist in directing
fumes towards the unit’s inlet and into the filter chamber.
Model # SS-200-WSL
Winged Sentry with Lid

19. Sentry Air Systems Wall-Mounted Solder Fume Extraction Models
The Sky Sentry is a uniquely engineered wall-mounted fume extractor that is built
specifically for small or limited workspace environments where air purification is desired.
This source capture system features a free-hanging, self-supportive flex arm that can
easily be maneuvered by the operator to their desired location.
Model # SS-200-SKY
Model 200 Sky Sentry

20. Sentry Air Systems Wall-Mounted Solder Fume Extraction Models
When space saving is a priority, a wall-mounted fume extractor may be the
optimal solution. The model 300 Sky Sentry offers an easy to maneuver, operator
friendly, self-supportive flex arm.
Model # SS-300-SKY
Model 300 Sky Sentry

21. Sentry Air Systems Floor Solder Fume Extraction Models
The Stainless Steel Floor Sentry is an ESD-Safe fume extractor that was
engineered to free up much needed benchtop work space. This unit is equipped
with a self-supportive, anti-static flex hose that can be easily maneuvered by the
operator while the base of the unit either sits on the floor or on the benchtop.
Model # SS-100-FS-ST
Stainless Steel Floor Sentry
ESD-Safe

22. Sentry Air Systems Floor Solder Fume Extraction Models
The Floor Sentry is a lightweight and portable fume extractor that is
engineered with a self-supportive flex arm for easy maneuvering and optimum
source capture placement. This unit can be placed on the floor to free up
much needed work space, or it can sit on the benchtop; the Floor Sentry’s
small footprint takes up minimal workspace.
Model # SS-200-FS
Model 200 Floor Sentry

23. For more information on Sentry Air Systems’ line of Solder Fume Extractors,
contact us:
1.800.799.4609
www.sentryair.com
sales@sentryair.com
Visit our Blog
**This presentation has been compiled in good faith by Sentry Air Systems, Inc. and no representation is
made as to the completeness or accuracy of the information it contains. In particular, you should be
aware that this information may be incomplete, may contain errors or may have become out of date.
Sentry Air Systems, Inc. makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this
information.

24. References and Helpful Links
[1] Occupational Safety & Health Administration, "ICP Backup Data Report for Soldering and
Brazing Matrices (ARL 3560)"
http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/inorganic/id206arl3560icp/id206arl3560icp.html
[2] Government of Western Australia, "Soldering in the Workplace: Rosin Fluxes."
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe/PDF/Guidance_notes/Guide-
soldering_and_rosin_fluxes.pdf
[3] Weller ®, "Health Hazards from Inhaling and Exposure to Soldering Fumes."
http://www.elexp.com/tips/Health_Hazards.PDF
[4] Occupational Safety & Health Administration, OSHA Technical Manual, Section V, Chapter
3, "Controlling Lead Exposures in the Construction Industry: Engineering and Work Practice
Controls." http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_v/otm_v_3.html#2
[5] Occupational Safety & Health Administration, "Welding Health Hazards."
http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/weldhlth.html
[6] Occupational Safety & Health Administration, "Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970."
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT&p_id=2743
[7] Occupational Safety & Health Administration,"The Whistleblower Protection Program."
http://www.osha.gov/dep/oia/whistleblower/index.html