Does solder fume contain lead content?

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Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

 

[ChairmanOfTheBored]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy

You are a hypochondriac.

and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

No. No lead fumes.

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

Probably, breathing the flux is having an effect on you. Try using a
fume extractor. The flux would be a different formulation for lead vs.
lead-free solder. There is very little lead in fumes at normal
soldering temperatures-- you'll absorb more if you don't wash your
hands properly before eating.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Al]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

It may be the rosin. Is your area well ventilated?

Al

 

[MooseFET]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

The most likely thing is that you are imagining the problem. You have
heard that lead is bad stuff and your mind is creating problems to
match the expected results.

Less likely but still reasonable is that you are reacting badly to the
flux that is in the lead solder but not the flux in the lead free.

The real effects of metal poisoning are generally very slow in onset
and extremely slow to go away.

When it comes to direct medical problems, the lead free solder is far
more dangerous that the stuff with lead in it. Have you noticed that
you are putting on weight, not feeling like you have as much energy,
or losing your hair? Answer this question before you read on.

... down ..






























.... further ....












.... nearly there ...







I just made that last bit up. Did you answer yes? Many people would
have.

 

[Richard Henry]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

http://www.sentryair.com/solder fume.htm

Full disclosure: this company makes and sells fume-extraction
systems.

 

[D from BC]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

Try and get more pay for working with the lead solder. Let me know
what happens

IIRC I read somewhere that the lead does not "atomize" and if it did
it wouldn't be light enough to be dragged into the rising rosin smoke.

You can also worry about mercury poisoning if you have old amalgam
fillings.
D from BC

 

[Tim Williams]

Nah, lead is slow. And primarily a digestion hazard, anyway. (Caveat:
cilliary action in the lungs leads to coughing up and swallowing whatever
you breathe.)

Paranoia, posture and general fatigue are more likely candidates. Get up
and walk around a bit.

Tim

 

[Rich Grise]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

No, you're tired and paranoid.

You won't get any lead vapor unless your soldering temperature reaches
3,164 degrees F.

Hope This Helps!
Rich

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

No, you're tired and paranoid.

You won't get any lead vapor unless your soldering temperature reaches
3,164 degrees F.

Hope This Helps!
Rich

So what you`re saying is that there is no humidity unless the
temperature reaches 212°F ?

Hope This Helps!
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Richard Henry]

No, you're tired and paranoid.

You won't get any lead vapor unless your soldering temperature reaches
3,164 degrees F.

Hope This Helps!
Rich

It's not lead vapor that you need to worry about. It's lead oxide
dust in the smoke.

 

[Richard The Dreaded Libertarian]

Nah, lead is slow. And primarily a digestion hazard, anyway. (Caveat:
cilliary action in the lungs leads to coughing up and swallowing whatever
you breathe.)

So spit! Hock a rosin loogie! ;-)

Or smoke cigarettes, which provides a protective layer of tar, and
stimulates the cilia's flushing action. ;-) (the tobacco tar entrains
and assists in the flushing of the _real_ toxins, like car exhaust,
lead vapor, and the miasma that always accompanies self-righteousness.
;-) ;-) )

Cheers!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

So what you`re saying is that there is no humidity unless the
temperature reaches 212°F ?

Okay, Mister Smarty-Boots, what's the vapor pressure of lead at 370F?

;-)
Rich

 

[Paul Hovnanian P.E.]

The most likely thing is that you are imagining the problem. You have
heard that lead is bad stuff and your mind is creating problems to
match the expected results.

Less likely but still reasonable is that you are reacting badly to the
flux that is in the lead solder but not the flux in the lead free.

The real effects of metal poisoning are generally very slow in onset
and extremely slow to go away.

When it comes to direct medical problems, the lead free solder is far
more dangerous that the stuff with lead in it. Have you noticed that
you are putting on weight, not feeling like you have as much energy,
or losing your hair? Answer this question before you read on.

.. down ..

... further ....

... nearly there ...

I just made that last bit up. Did you answer yes? Many people would
have.

All that saltpeter they fed you in the army is starting to take effect.

 

[Herbert John \Jackie\ Gleason]

Nah, lead is slow. And primarily a digestion hazard, anyway. (Caveat:
cilliary action in the lungs leads to coughing up and swallowing whatever
you breathe.)

Paranoia, posture and general fatigue are more likely candidates. Get up
and walk around a bit.

Don't forget eye strain, you top posting twit.

 

[Archimedes' Lever]

No, you're tired and paranoid.

You won't get any lead vapor unless your soldering temperature reaches
3,164 degrees F.

Hope This Helps!
Rich

Do 2 Wongs make a Wight?

 

[Herbert John \Jackie\ Gleason]

So spit! Hock a rosin loogie! ;-)

Or smoke cigarettes, which provides a protective layer of tar, and
stimulates the cilia's flushing action. ;-) (the tobacco tar entrains
and assists in the flushing of the _real_ toxins, like car exhaust,
lead vapor, and the miasma that always accompanies self-righteousness.
;-) ;-) )

You're a goddamned idiot. Protective layer of a known deadly
carcinogen. What a retard you are.

 

[Andy]

Whenever I've worked with soldering for a period of time, say 1 hour,
my brain starts to feel a bit fuzzy and concentration begins to
deteroriate. It makes me wonder whether this is the effect of lead
particles contained by the soldering smoke, or am I just being tired
and panaroid. Suprisingly though, I don't have much of the same
feeling when working with lead-free solder. Does anyone know if there
are any studies having done on this concern, such as the concentration
of lead released in fume? Thanks.

Try running some blind tests.

 

[ChairmanOfTheBored]

Try running some blind tests.

A good way to acquire second degree burns. :-]

 

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I agree with Richard. I know 300 degrees is far less then lead boiling
point. However when being heated, the resin vapour may carry
substantial amount of fine lead particles into the air. What do you
think?