Solder

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Definition

Solder is a compound used to connect electric wires or other metal parts together. It can cause skin burns, or it can be extremely toxic if ingested in high amounts.

Poisonous Ingredient

• lead
  
• tin
  
• zinc
  
• mild acids
  
• ethylene glycol

Where Found

• solder

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms
For acids found in solders:

• burns of mouth and throat

For lead:

• body as a whole
  o metallic taste
  o skin paleness
  o tremor
  o twitching
  o Convulsions
  o paralysis
  o muscle aches
  o fatigue
  o weakness
  o Joint pain
  o excessive thirst
  o incoordination
  
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o jaundice (eyes appear yellow)
  o vision abnormalities
  
• skin
  o yellow skin
  
• gastrointestinal
  o loss of appetite
  o Weight loss
  o Constipation
  o Vomiting
  o diarrhea
  o Abdominal pain
  
• heart and blood vessels
  o Low Blood pressure
  o High blood pressure
  
• nervous system
  o easily excitable
  o coma
  o hallucinations
  o lack of desire to do anything
  o irritable
  o uncooperative
  o Headache
  o sleeping difficulty
  o confusion

For tin and zinc chloride:

• body as a whole
  o burns in the mouth and throat
  o Convulsions
  o collapse
  o blood in urine
  o decreased urine output
  o no urine output
  
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o jaundice (eyes appear yellow)
  
• skin
  o yellow skin
  
• gastrointestinal
  o Vomiting
  o diarrhea

For ethylene glycol:

• the amount of ethylene glycol in solder is small, but the substance is extremely toxic
  
• renal
  o kidney failure
  
• blood
  o extreme disturbances in blood pH which can lead to multi-organ failure and death.

Home Treatment
Wash from skin or eyes. For any ingestion, seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not induce Vomiting.

Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
  
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  
• the time it was swallowed
  
• the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
See Poison Control centers. Bring the poison container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

• For swallowed poison
  o Immediate Hemodialysis may be required for survival
  o Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach
  o Activated charcoal administration
  o Endoscopy—the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
  o Give IV fluids
  o Admission to the hospital
  o Give an antidote
  o Treat the symptoms
  
• For inhaled poisons
  o A breathing tube may need to be inserted
  o Oxygen
  o Admission to the hospital or to the intensive care unit
  o Bronchoscopy (inserting a camera down the throat into the airway to evaluate the extent of burns to the airway and lungs)
  
• For skin exposure
  o Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
  o Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)
  o Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care

Expectations (prognosis)

• for lead
  o Complete recovery takes a year or more.
  o Many who do not die may suffer permanent brain damage.
  
• for tin and zinc
  o If the amount of zinc or tin is low, recovery should be within approximately 6 hours.
  
• for the acids
  o The length and extent of recovery depends on the extent of tissue damage that has occurred.
  
• for ethylene glycol
  o Ethylene glycol is extremely toxic. Survival and prognosis depend on the amount ingested and time to treatment.

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