Soldering - is it carcinogenic?

[Gerald C. Lemay]

I'm sure there will be MANY differing views about this, especially having to
do with Government bodies meddling in personal affairs, etc...etc...However,
I was told some years ago by a physician, that soldering flux fumes
(assuming rosin flux) are not good for human beings to breathe. This
happened shortly after starting a major construction project having to do
with a large aerospace company research award. I was the lead Technician in
charge of constructing and debugging a bunch of breadboards being assembled
in a small lab. There was supposed to be adequate ventilation but it seems
the maintenance department had not complete the job and only brought the
venting system piping above the ceiling tiles! So there we were, breathing
recirculated stale air, full of rosin flux particles. I got the worst
bronchitis I ever had. It took several months to totally clear up. In fact,
not until spring. A few months later, there was an article published in QST
more-or-less restating what I'd been told previously. So, while it may be
debatable that solder is a carcinogen, there are precautions any reasonable
human being should take. This is based on my personal experience.

-----Original Message-----
From: Heathkit Owners and Collectors List
[mailto:HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV]On Behalf Of Harvey A. Kader
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 4:23 PM
To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV
Subject: Soldering - is it carcinogenic?


Hello all.

I  knew as an adult(but never when I was a kid) that lead/tin solder
posed a mild risk for lead poisoning if hands are not washed after
soldering, and food is then consumed. How many of us soldered as kids,
and never bothered to wash our hands after?

I just purchased some replacement soldering iron tips. This is what is
printed on the front of the package-

"WARNING: This product, when used for soldering and similar
applications, produces chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm".

Question - is it the lead or tin or the flux which is carcinogenic? And
how is it carcinogenic - ingestion or inhalation of fumes during
soldering? How much at risk are we?

Thanks.

Regards.

Harvey.

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