Ever run into the problem of breathing in smoke while soldering, brazing, or just out right creating a small fire? Yeah, I have too. The problem is that more often than not we believe the open window or garage door is enough to ventilate the room but in all honesty it is not. Fans can help circulate the smoke but they do not remove it.
Thankfully, there are some smart inventions out that can help. Now, I know it may seem like an open door and a running fan is good enough. But let's take a second to think about that...
Air pressure and wind from out the door or window will always be greater than what the fan can blow out. Meaning there will always be a small amount of smoke coming back to you, so how do we solve this?
Well, the best solution for this problem is a smoke absorber with an integrated fume extraction fan and carbon filter. This nifty little device uses a fan to pull the fumes through a filter. Why is this important?
Here's the Five Reasons:
When using equipment that creates harmful fumes for long periods of time you will always run the risk of causing problems to your respiratory system. A fume extractor greatly reduces the probability of developing health problems by redirecting the fumes away from your face.
One common misconception about leaded solder such as 60/40 or 63/37, is that you are breathing in lead from the fumes created. This is not the case, as lead will not get hot enough to vaporize or fume at regular soldering temperatures. The risk of lead exposure is only through touch and the fumes are actually caused by the flux within the wire being burned off.
There are many regulations in place to prevent fumes from being harmful to you and others around the workplace. A fume extractor follows OSHA, NIOSH, C.O.S.H.H, and many other local regulations.
The extractor not only removes harmful fumes in the air it also traps small particles in the air surrounding the workplace. This allows for a safer working environment because any particles formed during the work day are removed.
There are many types of filtration available for extraction devices, some include pre-filter, HEPA filter, and active carbon filter. The most efficient one is the active carbon because unlike the others it traps the particles in its form. This is the safest form of filtration system because it absorbs fumes, odors, and harmful smoke.
In areas that do not have much space or windows, a ventilation system is needed for safety. Keep in mind that the placement of a fume extractor is important as well. Fume Extractors with built-in ventilation systems are greatly beneficial for small work spaces because they purify the air as well as redirecting the fumes.
For more information on smoke absorbers please reach out to us or visit us at SRA Solder
