DO YOU NEED A SOLDER FUME EXTRACTOR?

Most people soldering don’t often think of solder fumes as a big deal or threat to their health. But if you’re soldering all the time and breathing the solder fumes, it can be detrimental to your health.

Soldering activities produce fumes that are dangerous and toxic. They can cause serious long term health problems if inhaled for long. If you love soldering and can’t just stop, then you should seriously consider a solder fume extractor to extract the fumes while soldering. But why do you need a solder fume extractor really? What are the benefits of using one?

Why you need a soldering fume extractor

In order to find the best solder fume extractor, you need to understand the benefits and how soldering fume extraction works. A solder fume extractor normally has a fan motor that pulls in air, which is then caught by the filter. Clean air is then released via the vent into the working area, and the process repeats itself. The soldering fumes are normally produced as a result of the combination between soldering iron and the flux.

Soldering fumes carry both gaseous and particulates that could be detrimental to one’s health. They can cause respiratory problems, skin problems, organ damage and even cancer.
While there are fume extractors for industrial use, if you solder alone, you’ll need a small portable fume extractor When selecting a fume extractor, the price, the fan and the quality of HEPA filter matters (it depends on your work space’s needs).

Tips on how to solder safely

While a solder smoke absorber helps remove toxic soldering fumes, it’s important to learn how to solder safely.

When using a soldering iron:

• Avoid touching the elements of the soldering iron.
• Use tweezers or clamps to hold wires you want to heat.
• Ensure the cleaning sponge is always wet during usage.
• Make sure you return the soldering iron back to its stand when you don’t use it.
• Turn the system off and unplug it when you don’t use it.

Dealing with solder, flux and cleaners:

• Always eye protection.
• Use lead-free and rosin-free solders.
• Cleaning solvents should be kept in dispensing bottles.
• After soldering sessions, ensure you wash your hands with soap and water.

Apart from solder smoke absorbers, there are other types of fume extraction systems that might be of interest to you. IP Systems USA provides Dental Aerosol Fume Extraction and Laser Fume Extraction Systems