A Breath of Fresh Air
duced back into the atmosphere. The safest significantly differing !
Fine metal particles (tin) and others
and most efficient means of dealing with results.
hazardous substances is to provide proper The most
0.2
fume extraction equipment for purifying air interesting conclu-
0.18
in the workplace. sion from the solder
0.16
For the environment to be properly con- alloy testing is that
0.14
trolled, more than just a means of moving the distribution of
_
]
0.12 solder 1
the air away from the workers is required. fine air particulates
g
/
m
0.1 solder 2
The best method is to provide a source for into the environment
[
m
0.08 solder 3
cleansing the air through efficient filtration. during hand soldering 0.06
HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtra- exceeds the maximum 0.04
tion is one means of controlling the air that allowable threshold 0.02
is recycled back into the workplace. HEPA established by the 0
filtration provides air quality levels in the European Standards
no extraction with extraction after Filter
99.5 to 99.975 % range (removing pollens, Association. A limit
smoke, gases and even irritating odors) and was set for fine air
Figure 1. Fine metal particulates extracted during tests. Maximum allowable
making the purified air perhaps cleaner particulates to not
threshold value for fine metal particulates is 2 mg/m³ (per European Standards
than it was originally when incorporating exceed 3 milligrams
Assoc.).
activated carbon as part of the filtration. per cubic meter (3
!
Soldering applications can present mg/m³). Of the three Fine air particulates
the biggest challenges for companies who different solder alloys
are contemplating the conversion to fume tested, all exceeded 60
extraction. Many manufacturers believe that the maximum allow-
converting to lead-free applications negates able threshold. This
50
the need to provide fume extraction to the indicates that fine
workplace, when in reality the opposite air particulates are
40
solder 1
actually holds true. re-distributed into
30 solder 2
Weller has run tests using different the environment and
[mg/m_] solder 3
flux-cored solder alloys for several years. should be a concern
20
A common procedure was the soldering for workers in hand
iron tip life test that provided data on the soldering applica-
10
quality and longevity of the iron plating of tions. However, when
Weller soldering tips. Weller fume extrac- using fume extraction 0
tion equipment was employed to protect equipment, the mea-
no extraction with extraction after Filter
the working environment during these tests, sureable levels were
and the fine metal particles and fine air considerably reduced
Figure 2. Fine air particulates extracted during tests. Maximum allowable thresh-
particulates collected as by-products have and after HEPA filtra- old for fine air particulates is exceeded without fume extraction (per Europeans
offered a great deal of important data. tion, the levels were
Standards Assoc.).
Weller teamed with several European virtually non-existent.
test agencies to monitor the types and levels The most sig-
indicator of whether normal ventilation
of solder contaminants found during the nificant point to be derived from this data
is adequate or whether fume extraction
collection process. Figures 1 and 2 indicate is that it is extremely important to review
should be applied in the workplace.
the toxins and carcinogens extracted during the selected solder manufacturer’s techni-
these tests. cal data sheet and the material safety data
Note: Before using external ventilation type
What was determined by the collection sheets to define which solder/flux combina-
systems, consult your local Fire Department (i.e
of the contaminants is that the distribution tions either recommend or require the use
. collection of
of fine metal particles into the air during of fume extraction.
flammable materials inside piping systems) and
hand soldering is virtually non-existent. Solder manufacturers’ technical data
your local Environmental Agency (i.e. emissions
The European Standards Association has sheets will provide detailed information
regulations). Also consult your insurance carrier
established a maximum allowable threshold regarding safety and health concerns when
for information pertaining to openings in the
of fine metal particles of 2 milligrams per using their products. The manufacturer
walls or ceilings of a facility.
cubic meter (2 mg/m³). Of three different may indicate one or more of the following
solder alloys tested during the initial phase recommended levels of ventilation:
references
of the experiment, only two came even
• “Use in a well ventilated area.”
[1] T.R.U.E Test (www.truetest.com) –
remotely close to 1/10 of the maximum
• “Soldering processes will generate
Colophony
allowable concentration for fine metal
product fumes, which should be
[2] Filtronic AB (www.filtronic.se) – Occu-
particles. This indicates that fine metal
vented.”
pational Asthma White Paper
particles are not generally re-distributed into
• “Soldering fumes must be exhausted
the environment. when using fume extrac-
or vented for operator safety.”
Claude W. “Bubba” Powers is manager, techni-
tion equipment that incorporates HEPA
cal services at Cooper Hand Tools—Professional
Filtration, the before and after results were Additionally, all chemical manufacturer’s
Tools in Apex, NC, USA. He can be reached at
reduced even further. Applications that application notes, process notes or mate-
Bubba.powers@cooperindustries.com.
involve metal working may however provide rial safety data sheets will be the primary
34 – Global SMT & Packaging – September 2008
www.globalsmt.net
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