| Subject | Contents |
| 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. |
| Alternative Names | |
| 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 metallic taste skin palenesstremor twitching convulsionsparalysismuscle achesfatigueweaknessjoint painexcessive thirstincoordination eyes, ears, nose, and throat jaundice (eyes appear yellow) vision abnormalities skin yellow skin gastrointestinal loss of appetiteweight lossconstipationvomitingdiarrheaabdominal pain heart and blood vessels low blood pressurehigh blood pressure nervous system easily excitablecomahallucinations lack of desire to do anything irritable uncooperative headachesleeping difficultyconfusion For tin and zinc chloride: body as a whole burns in the mouth and throat convulsions collapseblood in urinedecreased urine outputno urine output eyes, ears, nose, and throat jaundice (eyes appear yellow) skin yellow skin gastrointestinal vomiting diarrhea For ethylene glycol: the amount of ethylene glycol in solder is small, but the substance is extremely toxic renal kidney failure blood extreme disturbances in blood pH which can lead to multi-organ failure and death. |
| Home Treatment | Wash from skin or eyes, then irrigate exposed areas. For any ingestion, seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not induce emesis. |
| 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 numbers. Bring the poison container with you to the emergency room.
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| What to expect at the emergency room | For swallowed poison Immediate hemodialysis may be required for survival Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach Activated charcoal administration Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach Give IV fluids Admission to the hospital Give an antidote Treat the symptoms For inhaled poisons A breathing tube may need to be inserted Oxygen Admission to the hospital or to the intensive care unit Bronchoscopy (inserting a camera down the throat into the airway to evaluate the extent of burns to the airway and lungs) For skin exposure Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin) Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care |
| Expectations (prognosis) | for lead
Complete recovery takes a year or more. Many who do not die may suffer permanent brain damage. for tin and zinc
If the amount of zinc or tin is low, recovery should be within approximately 6 hours. for the acids
The length and extent of recovery depends on the extent of tissue damage that has occurred. for ethylene glycol
ethylene glycol is extremely toxic. Survival and prognosis depend on the amount of ingestion and time to treatment. |
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