Dangers of soldering?

I've been doing some soldering with fans and switches for my computer and I am wondering if being around lead fumes is worse than smoking a few cigarrettes

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. I try to hold me breath when I apply the solder, and I try to keep the iron "downwind." Are the fumes going to do some freak thing if my eyes are exposed to them?

Anyone been soldering for awhile and have any safety tips?

 

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I have often wondered about the effects of solder smoke. I never bothered to find out because I figured the smoke probably didn't contain much, if any, lead. I will google real quick and see what I find.

 

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yeah, basically, the Internet says its bad for you. however, you should be fine as long as you don't breathe it in.

 

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Der soldiers are not making bad on thinking. You fine.

 

my dads been an electronics engineer for over 30 years, he doesnt seem to have any problems, apart from slight baldness.

If you solder professionally these days i think there is supposed to be ventilation. Just dont suck the smoke in.

 

Solder on a fire resistant surface. Special mats are available, or a piece of plasterboard can be good.

Never leave your soldering iron plugged in and unattended.

Do not overload a wall outlet with too many electric appliances.

Never set your hot iron down on anything other than an iron stand.

Replace your soldering iron of the cable becomes worn or gets burnt.

To prevent burning your fingers, use needle nose pliers or heat resistant gloves to hold small pieces.

Make sure that your soldering iron is properly earthed.
You might also care to visit our other soldering information pages. The Soldering home page provides links to other resources including a Soldering Quick Fix, an in depth Soldering Tutorial, a Soldering Tools information page, a Soldering Troubleshooter, and even an article on the effects of forthcoming Soldering Regulations.

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I think the smoke might be from the flux, but if you want to be sure, write or call the manufacturer of the solder, and they have to send or fax you the MSDS (material safety data sheet) on the material. This will include any possible health hazards.

 

I find that rather than holding things with longnose pliers, its better to use crocodile clips or something. Normally im too lazy to find anything like that so i just trap it under a paperweight and hang it over the desk.

 

The greater danger of lead exposure from soldering is in the actual handling of solder. It is recommended that one refrain from eating, drinking or smoking while soldering and to thoroughly wash one's hands with soap and water after soldering and before eating, etc. The idea is to avoid putting one's hands up to the face and mouth while traces of lead are on one's hands. Breathing the fumes should be avoided not because of lead but because of rosin. Rosin (originally) is a product of pine tar, and not very healthy to breath. Some rather nasty hydrocarbons there.

 

Yeah, I breathed plenty of that stuff in. Don't get addicted to it.

Rosin smells rather intoxicating.

For that reason, it is best that you properly ventilate the area, or else you will get dizzy after a while like I did.

I still think I can drink while soldering safely. Same goes for eating with utensils.

To reduce the smoke temporarily, use some tinning flux.

 

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I always solder with a fan blowing on it. I hate the smell of the fumes and I have wondered about the possible danger of breathing it in.

I don't think it's that harmful because if it was, I would be dead by now after doing soldering LED switches in a cramped classroom with little ventilation for about a month (damn, high school sucked).

 

There are no lead fumes. There are fumes from the resin, however. Presumbably, they are not good for you. However, for occasional soldering, there is no need to worry. Yes, smoking is MUCH more dangerous.


Hans