Secure water resistant adhesion, non-conductive, and easy to remove. Attached correctly monitoring can be performed continuously for days even if the patient is active and perspires.  While drying (evaporation of the ethyl ether) the nitrocellulose forms a secure non flexible film bonding the electrode and/or gauze to the skin and hair

The main side effect of Collodion is the ethyl ether fumes during application. Once the collodion has cured there are no other vapors to contend with