SOLVENT FUMES

Solvents are usually liquids or chemical substances but can also be gases or solids that are used to dissolve or dilute materials or other substances to create a solution. Industries such as Engineering, Construction, Printing, Pharmaceutical manufacture, woodworking, Dry cleaning, Paint and ink manufacture are most likely to be exposed to dangerous solvents such as Tetrachloroethylene, white spirit, xylene, turpentine, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, hexane, petrol ether, citrus terpenes and ethanol.

Exposure to these solvents especially in large quantities over long periods of time can have extreme short and/or long term health effects. Health risks from exposure to solvents include irritation of eyes, lungs and skin, headaches, nausea, dizziness and more serious risks known as chronic solvent induced encephalopathy (CSE) these include reproductive damage, dermatitis, damage to the nervous system, cancer or liver and kidney damage. Solvents can be flammable, poisonous and explosive.

Due to the health and safety risks involved with solvents it is important to have adequate LEV (Local Exhaust ventilation) / Fume Extraction Solutions especially in more dangerous confined spaces.

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SOLDERING FUMES / ROSIN FUMES / FLUX FUMES

Rosin flux also known as colophony is a substance commonly used during the soldering process. When heated Rosin flux releases fumes that are harmful to your health and a leading cause of occupational asthma. Contact with soldering fumes can also lead to skin conditions such as dermatitis, these conditions are especially prominent in industries such as electronics and assembly.

COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to health) by law requires that employers prevent or control exposure to these fumes to a high standard in order to keep exposure to a controlled low level.

At Flamefast Extraction Solutions we offer several options for the control of soldering fumes taking into consideration all the conditions of the workplace to ensure the LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) required is the correct design for the task at hand.

We can supply solutions for low, medium or high levels of exposure and will advise on the best system to implement. These systems can be mobile or portable and include units such as moveable capturing hoods, downdraught benches, Fume dispensers, ventilated bench-top enclosures and on-tip solder fume extraction.

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EXHAUST FUMES

Exhaust Fumes also known as Exhaust gas or flue gas can be extremely dangerous especially on carbon-fuelled engines that contain the poisonous gas carbon monoxide (CO) these gases are emitted into the surrounding area and atmosphere via the exhaust pipe, flue gas stack or propelling nozzle and can have serious health implications that include cancer, eye and respiratory track irritation, couching and in severe cases death.

Diesel Engine exhaust emissions or DEEEs produce less Carbon Monoxide than petrol engines but much more soot or carbon particles along with a complex mixture of gases, vapours and liquid aerosols that contain among other nitrogen, water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ketones, aldehydes, carbon, oxides of nitrogen and various hydrocarbons.

Because diesel engines contain over 10 times the amount of soot in comparison to petrol engines Exhaust fumes from diesel engines are more visible. There are 3 types of visible smoke blue, black and white of which blue and black smoke are the more dangerous.

Workplace exposure to DEEEs are dominant where heavy vehicles such as buses, trains, lorries, fork lifts, trucks and tractors that use diesel fuel are kept or serviced. These include toll booths, car parks, garage repairs, vehicle holds, stationary power sources.

At Flamefast Extraction Solutions we ensure that your workshop meets the requirements placed by COSHH, The HSW Act and the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 for the control of DEEEs in the workplace.

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