Lead-containing solder in schools?
I've been attending a technical college for almost a year now, where I'm completing a vocational course in information technology. A few weeks ago, I discovered by chance that we've actually been using lead-based solder since the beginning of the school year, without ever being informed about it. When I asked the teacher about it, all I was told to do was wash my hands thoroughly after soldering. It's a good thing the safety briefing came late, better than never?! On top of that, lead-based solder is apparently banned(?).
I would like to ask for expert opinions on the entire situation and whether anything can be done about it.
(5 votes)
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Lead-containing soldering tin is prohibited in industrial areas. In schools, too.
What is problematic in the lead-containing solder tine: soldering for years in full-time job at least 5 days a week in the chord until the soldering iron glows through… It can make you sick.
Lead is not absorbed via the skin and the poison affects time.
Couple school hours with the soldering iron can be neglected.
The dose makes the poison.
And honestly, how often do you get the soldering tin directly? Most of the time you get the role where the tin is wrapped.
Once an inferior China extension cable takes your hands a lot more (softmaker). Inhale the smoke damage during soldering (caloform vapours) also :).
What is advantageous in the lead-containing solder tine: You can see immediately when you’ve brazed badly – it doesn’t glitter so beautiful, it looks blunt and lumpy. An effect that you do not have when using lead-free soldering tines or only very reduced. So it’s best to practice.
And you should always wash hands after craftsmanship.
I’ve been brazing for years with leaded solder tin and I’m still alive 🙂
For private purposes, lead-containing soldering tin is still allowed and is sold in the construction market.
Yeah. RISU:
We also brazed at school with lead, no idea whether this is allowed here in Austria.
I don’t. I always tear down about 10-20cm soldering tin and hold it in my hand. It’s kind of easier if you just have to keep so little weight.
chloroform in the flux? I’ve never heard of that. Where did you get the info? Or do you mean colophony?
Depends on the roll size 😛
Me too. Some nasty pests are in there that are not so healthy to breathe.
The main problem with lead-containing solder tines is, in my knowledge, the RoHS directive, which is intended to prevent harmful substances from ending somewhere on landfill or in the environment.
In my knowledge, lead-containing soldering tines are not really dangerous for use, and the use is in principle also allowed within a certain framework (e.g. also in the industry in prototype construction, where the RoHS standard is not binding).
In my experience, lead-containing soldering tines are also much easier to use and leads to more stable soldering points than lead-free. Therefore, a certain advantage in schools. (Industrial/automated soldering processes are probably so mature that the missing lead is no longer relevant.)
Otherwise, I find the contribution of Franky12345678 very good and can also agree without exception.
Addendum: At the dentist, amalgam fillings are still the usual cash-free cash-offs. These should be more harmful than working with lead-containing solder tines. The whole panic, due to lack of security instructions, I find something exaggerated…
I wouldn’t recommend you to worry.
This topic is a very delicate one, where very often even skilled workers mingle each other.
I myself live and no longer work in the EU, so I have learned to consider and judge such theman “from outside”.
I would share this issue in two aspects:
– Application of common sense
– The Head of Mission
I guess you got a lot like the Sn60Pb38Al2 in your finger.
This kind of lot has been used for generations, I have also worked since the beginning of my training, in studies, internships and still use it to date. In Tokyo, you’ll get this in every electric store.
The common sense looks as follows:
Yes, the dangers of Pb are not to be underestimated, it is enriched in the food chain and is initially absorbed by inhalation or oral.
This means concretely:
Not eating and drinking at work. It was my rule from the beginning. So don’t put snacks in your mouth with your fingers while you’re handling the lot. Always wash your hands after work. All the way and give. Furthermore, the soldering vapors are removed by suction and do not breathe directly.
Probably your teacher had no evil intentions – on the contrary: He wanted to make your training easier. Lead-free solder can be processed significantly worse and requires higher temperatures. You will surely get to know it, because there are also processes where the SnPb Lot is no longer used.
And now there’s the story where the EU’s official mold was:
I guess you’re relying on the RoHs directive. It is a “directive” – no law and no prohibition. The lead-containing lot is still available in retail trade, at least no longer in retail for the end customer in Germany.
In order to get into detail, you would have to read out the whole roller from the EU once, plan a lot of time. As far as Lote is concerned, I can remember that there is a recommendation for the complete avoidance of solders of more than 85% volume of Pb in new developments and series production, which is not the case with the Sn60Pb40 and comparable alloys, and then there are exceptions and exceptions from the exception…
To get back to the actual topic: Just talk to your school without any accusations. You saw that the lot is Pb-containing and you’re worried. What to consider? How to behave during processing? Can also be used Pb-free solder and whether both types can be used to get a feeling for it. Teachers should be trained to respond professionally.
My father and my mother worked with lead-containing soldering tines almost daily from their training to retirement.
In the rooms there was no soldering steam extraction and no ventilation.
I’d say you don’t have to worry about it. But you can still say that the hint with the hand washing will be made by the professional colleague in the future.
For a low melting point, a certain amount of lead must be added to the tin. Especially in information technology, many semiconductors are used which do not carry high soldering temperatures.
So you have to weigh between broken semiconductors or a low risk of gradual accumulation of lead in the body, which may become harmful after 30 or 40 years if you breathe the vapours during soldering.
Make it a habit to blow away the brazed steams from you and wash your hands after work, then you are on the safe side.
In industry, no lead-containing solder has been used for years. It may be that lead-containing lot is easier to handle, but others can get it without.
In principle, lead-containing soldering tines in commercial and school areas may only be used under increased protective measures. This includes, for example, a suitable suction system and of course the previous safety device.
Without a suction device and in the presence of other persons, the facts of the intentional injury should already be fulfilled. (I’m not a lawyer!)
Hi.
I am still happy to have lead-containing solder tines from the past, so it can still be sensible and well soldered. I’ve been soldering for 40 years and I’m still fine.
I think this is hysteria.
My concern is above all the lack of security, especially among women in our class.
Well, lead is certainly not health-promoting in general. Knowing this is what the RoHS regulation means.
https://www.ihk-siegen.de/innovation-umwelt-und-energy/environment/chemical and dangerous substances/rohs-Directive-und-Electrostoffverordnung/
But not all too long ago, it has no lead casting on New Year’s Eve. Well, don’t overestimate that.
For 20 years, I worked in the industry unprotected with lead-containing soldering tines. And it is not to rule out that this caused my polyneuropathy.
I understand and I’m really sorry for you. Also have an acquaintance from agriculture with arsenic poisoning. It’s clear that it’s not too late for heavy metal poisoning. My thought was with me as an occasional lecturer over several years and occasional lecturer at the vocational school.
Therefore: Always provide sufficient protection.
Lead is stored in the body in the bone, in the muscle tissue and in the brain and is released from there slowly.
Lead damages the nervous system especially during the development of the child in pregnancy and it is also transferred to the child via breast milk. Therefore, possibly the unequal treatment of boys and girls at one school. But actually, it’s nonsense because it’s a totally unnecessary burden. There are lead-free alternatives. And they should be used in training.
If you want to know more: DGUV Information 213-714
What I find particularly worrying is that we did not know that lead-containing soldering tin is used, and therefore before eating or drinking our hands have not washed or at least not sufficient.
DGUV Information 213-714 has not been observed
lead-containing soldering tin is basically no essential problem. ABER:
Important is that one good Soldering steam extraction station used during soldering and as you have already described: washing hands should also be done. But important is the steam extraction!
Steam extraction is called an open window and stand ventilator with us, but it stands at the other end of the table, so that the rear rows do not even feel a light air.
That’s not appropriate.
A steam extraction during soldering is very important. Even with lead-free solder, you should use one.
As far as I know, steam extraction is also required by law.
At the time we gave lead-containing brazing for the guys and lead-free for the girls.
I’ve made a lot of work harder in the subject.
That’s absolutely crazy. With what?
The woman can get pregnant and who didn’t have a bump every hour to ask if you’re pregnant to know what to spend.
With us, the whole subject will actually be dead without my demand I and my class know nothing about it. Have the feeling of our school illegally used its rest of lead-containing solder tines to save money.
I don’t know if the young were enlightened. I was the only woman in class.
After all, you were told about it
around 2005
Date
School year or calendar year?
what year was that?
Private you can still obtain it…. everything else is allowed….
What about the use? Are there any directives?
But only in personal sales. Shipping is prohibited.
I’ve covered myself enough.
With us in the construction markets you can easily buy lead solder tines. It is more difficult to get lead-free 😀
Waaaas?
That’s what I wish.
It is possible to make at least reasonable soldering points and to protect the components with short soldering times.