Solder Health Article

Definition

Solder is used to connect electric wires or other metal parts together. Solder poisoning occurs when someone swallows solder in large amounts. It can also cause burns to the skin.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Antimony
• Bismuth
• Cadmium
• Copper
• Ethylene glycol
• Lead
• Mild acids
• Silver
• Tin
• Zinc

Where Found

• Solder

Note: This list may not include all sources of solder.

Symptoms

Symptoms for lead:

• Bladder and kidneys
  • Kidney damage
• Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
  • Metallic taste
  • Vision problems
  • Yellow eyes (jaundice)
• Gastrointestinal
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive thirst
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
• Heart and blood
  • Collapse
  • Convulsions
  • High blood pressure
  • Low blood pressure
• Muscles and joints
  • Paralysis
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Joint pain
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Excitability
  • Hallucinations
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Lack of desire to do anything
  • Sleeping difficulty
  • Tremor
  • Twitching
  • Uncoordinated movements
• Skin
  • Pale skin
  • Yellow skin

Symptoms for tin and zinc chloride:

• Bladder and kidneys
  • Decreased urine output
  • No urine output
• Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
  • Burns in mouth and throat
  • Yellow eyes (jaundice)
• Gastrointestinal
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
• Skin
  • Yellow skin

Symptoms for ethylene glycol:

• Disturbance in the acid balance of the blood (can lead to failure of many organs)
• Kidney failure

Symptoms for cadmium:

• Kidney damage
• Reduced brain function or intelligence
• Reduced lung function
• Softening of the bones and kidney failure (itai-itai disease)

Symptoms for bismuth:

• Diarrhea
• Eye irritation
• Gingivitis
• Kidney damage
• Metallic taste
• Skin irritation

Symptoms for silver:

• Greyish-black staining of the skin and mucus membranes (argyria)
• Silver deposits in the eyes (argyrosis)

Symptoms for antimony:

• Chemical burns
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Eczema
• Headache
• Irritation of mucus membranes
• Stomach problems

Symptoms for copper:

• Fever

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed