Lead Free Solder

[wa1vwl]

The nasty thing about soldering is, as you say, fumes from the flux.
There are other alternatives called "water-based" fluxes. They still
emit fumes but are less harmful. Some years back I was in the middle of
a project and got a nasty case of bronchitis. I always had some minor
difficulties with my "breathing apparatus" but this was serious. One of
the first questions the doctor asked me was if I did any soldering. I
said yes. That was all he needed to hear. Got reassigned to another
location and the problem went away. Coincidentally, around the same
time, QST carried an article on the subject. I'll have to dig it up.

73/Gerry/W1ID

Multi-Volti Devices wrote:
>
> I don't have any references to quote, but I read somewhere in the last 5-6
> years that one doesn't inhale lead when soldering, but rather the flux
> fumes. They are not something one wants to regularly inhale either, but the
> inference was that it's more of an irritant than a hazard. Of course, solder
> aid and flux chemistry has been changing (I was going to say "...in a state
> of flux") in the last 5 or more years, so I wouldn't generalize.
>
> I have also noted many more sources of fume control equipment, so perhaps it
> is less safe than it used to be considered.
>
> I saw a company that had built their own fume control system from pvc pipe
> and a centralized vacuum system...each bench had a pipe on a rotating swivel
> joint.
>
> I am thinking about trying something with a table fan and 'higher
> performance' disposable furnace filters...maybe electrostatic and/or carbon
> filters.
>
> Murray
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: N5RXS, J C Smith <JSmith3703 at AOL.COM>
> To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV <HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
> Date: Monday, May 31, 1999 12:56 PM
> Subject: Re: Lead Free Solder
>
> >Fred:
> >
> >        Replies to your question have been informative.  I have learned a
> >number of things from the replies.
> >
> >        Let me add my spin to the lead issue.  When soldering, some
> >particulates become airborne.  However, most of us spend very time
> soldering.
> > Precautions to take when soldering include having adequate ventilation in
> >the work area and working from the side so the smoke or vapors are not
> rising
> >in your breathing zone.
> >
> >        Studies done by communications companies indicate over exposure
> >occurs when lead is in a molten state or when lead cable is being removed.
> >The old telephone frame rooms wiring blocks were the solder type.  Air
> >sampling in large frame rooms where technicians were constantly running
> >jumper wires and soldering indicated the room atmosphere was safe.
> >
> >        If you melt lead to make fishing weights you may have a problem.
> >Soldering electrical connections in a ventilated area should be safe.
> >
> >J C Smith, N5RXS
> >
> >--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
> >To subscribe: listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
> >and in body: subscribe HEATH yourfirstname yourlastname
> >To unsubscribe:  listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
> >and in body: signoff HEATH
> >Archives for HEATH: http://www.tempe.gov/archives
> >--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
> >
>
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
> To subscribe: listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
> and in body: subscribe HEATH yourfirstname yourlastname
> To unsubscribe:  listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
> and in body: signoff HEATH
> Archives for HEATH: http://www.tempe.gov/archives
> --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --

Sponsored by the City of Tempe 

Listserver Submissions:  heath at listserv.tempe.gov
Listserver Subscription: listserv at listserv.tempe.gov - "subscribe heath 'name' 'call'"
Listserver Unsubscribe: listserv at listserv.tempe.gov - -"signoff heath"