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Acid soldering flux poisoning

Fluxes; Flux poisoning

Acid soldering flux is a chemical used to clean and protect the area where
two pieces of metal are joined together. Flux poisoning occurs when
someone swallows this substance.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an

actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure,
call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control
center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help
hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

The harmful substances in soldering fluxes are called hydrocarbons. They

include:
  Ammonium chloride
 Rosin
 Hydrochloric acid
 Zinc chloride

Where Found

Soldering flux contains the above substances.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of flux poisoning in different parts of the body.

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

 Loss of vision
 Severe pain in the throat
 Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue

KIDNEYS AND BLADDER

 Decreased urine output

 Kidney failure

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

 Blood in the stool

 Burns of the food pipe (esophagus)
 Severe abdominal pain
 Nausea and vomiting
 Vomiting blood

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

 Collapse
 Irregular heart beat
 Low blood pressure that develops rapidly (shock)

LUNGS AND AIRWAYS

 Breathing difficulty (from breathing in the chemical)

 Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
SKIN

 Burn
 Holes in the skin or tissues under the skin
 Irritation

Get medical help right away. Do not make the person throw up unless
poison control or a health care provider tells you to. If the flux is on the skin
or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the person swallowed the flux, give them water or milk right away, if a
provider tells you to do so. Do not give anything to drink if the person has
symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include vomiting, seizures, or
a decreased level of alertness. If the person breathed in fumes of the flux,
move them to fresh air right away.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

 Person's age, weight, and condition

 Name of the product (and ingredients, if known)
 Time it was swallowed
 Amount swallowed

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including
temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Tests that may be done include:

 Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to look for burns in the

airways and lungs
 Chest x-ray
 ECG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing)
 Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to look for burns in the
esophagus and the stomach
Treatment may include:

 Fluids through the vein (by IV)

 Medicine to treat symptoms
 Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach
(gastric lavage)
 Washing of the skin (irrigation), perhaps every few hours for several
days
 Surgery to remove burned skin
 Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and
connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well someone does depends on how severe their poisoning is and how
quickly treatment is received. The faster medical help is given, the better the
chance for recovery. Damage can continue to occur for several weeks after
swallowing soldering flux.

Types of Solder Flux - Lifewire

One of the more common fluxes is water-soluble organic acid flux.

Common weak acids are used in organic acid flux, including citric, lactic,
and stearic acids.

The weak organic acids are combined with solvents like isopropyl alcohol
and water. Organic acid fluxes are stronger than rosin fluxes and clean the
oxides off more quickly.

Oxides and Flux

Oxides form on almost all metals when oxygen in the air reacts with the
metal. On iron, oxidation is commonly called rust. However, oxidation
affects tin, aluminum, copper, silver, and nearly every metal used in
electronics. Oxides make soldering more difficult or impossible, preventing a
metallurgical bond with the solder. Oxidization happens all of the time.
However, it happens faster at higher temperatures—as when soldering flux
cleans metal surfaces and reacts with the oxide layer, leaving a surface
primed for a good solder bond.

Flux remains on the surface of the metal while you're soldering, which
prevents additional oxides from forming due to the high heat of the soldering
process. As with solder, there are several types of flux, each with key uses
and some limitations.

Types of Flux
For many applications, the flux included in the core of the solder wire is
sufficient. However, additional flux is beneficial in some scenarios, such as
surface-mount soldering and desoldering. In all cases, the best flux to use is
the least acidic (least aggressive) flux that will work on the oxide on the
components and result in a good solder bond.

Rosin Flux

Some of the oldest types of flux are based on pine sap—refined and purified
—called rosin. Rosin flux is still used today, but modern rosin flux blends
different fluxes to optimize its performance.

Ideally, flux flows easily when hot, removes oxides quickly, and helps
remove foreign particles from the surface of the metal being soldered. Rosin
flux is acid when liquid. When it cools, it becomes solid and inert. Because
rosin flux is inert when solid, it can be left on a printed circuit board without
harming the circuit unless the circuit warms to the point where the rosin may
become liquid and eat away at the connection.

Organic Acid Flux

One of the more common fluxes is water-soluble organic acid flux. Common
weak acids are used in organic acid flux, including citric, lactic, and stearic
acids. The weak organic acids are combined with solvents like isopropyl
alcohol and water.

Organic acid fluxes are stronger than rosin fluxes and clean the oxides off
more quickly. Additionally, the water-soluble nature of the organic acid flux
allows the PCB to be easily cleaned with regular water—just protect
components that should not get wet. Because the OA residue is electrically
conductive and affects the operation and performance of a circuit, remove
the flux residue when you're done soldering.

Inorganic Acid Flux

Inorganic acid flux works better with stronger metals such as copper, brass,
and stainless steel. It's a blend of stronger acids like hydrochloric acid, zinc
chloride, and ammonium chloride. Inorganic acid flux requires complete
cleaning after use to remove the corrosive residues from the surfaces,
which weaken or destroy the solder joint if left in place.
Inorganic acid flux should not be used for electronic assembly work or electrical work.

Solder Fumes
The smoke and fumes released while soldering include several chemical
compounds from the acids and their reaction with the oxide layers. Other
compounds such as formaldehyde, toluene, alcohols, and acidic fumes are
often present in the solder fumes. These fumes can lead to asthma and
increased sensitivity to solder fumes. Ensure adequate ventilation and, as
necessary, use a respirator.

Cancer and lead risks from solder fumes are low since the boiling
point for solder is several times hotter than the boiling temperature
of the flux and melting temperature of the solder. The greatest lead
risk is the handling of the solder. Care should be taken when using
solder, with a focus on washing hands and avoiding eating,
drinking, and smoking in areas with solder to prevent solder
particulate from entering the body.