Is Lead Solder Bad For You? | SRA Solder

[@icabodeeb]

Grego: I am a retired electronic engineer and manufacturer. Have worked with lead solder using irons, dip pots and wave machines. I started as a hobbyist in the 1960’s and used maybe 100’s of pounds of roll solder and three loads in my wave machine (Electrovert) of 200lbs per chaa add age. Before retiring my shop Forman and technician wanted to get tested for lead in his body. We both got tested! We both had very low levels… no different than non electronic employees. As a teenager working on my projects I did not use any form of fume extraction! It got smoky in my bedroom. My engineer father build many Heathkits the same way! So the moral is… don’t put the stuff in your mouth to hold it while your hands are busy, and wash your hands before you eat!

[@joelfenner]

@charleshines7282 It depends on the exact chemistry of the solder (lead-free chemistries use mixtures of tin, silver, antimony, copper, etc.). Some lead-free compositions are less prone to tin whisker - generally, the more heavily alloyed, the less likely whisker formation is. It's also seems to be a thermally-driven process, so the melt-cooling cycle and service temperature have contributing effects. It's complicated, and still not fully understood. I've seen tin-lead solder jobs many decades old that have no whisker formation, I've seen same-chemistry solder jobs that DO have whisker formation, I've seen lead-free solder jobs decades old that have no whiskers, etc. etc. The "big losers" seem to be from very high tin-purity work (almost no alloy content). That's about the most I can give you.

[@joelfenner]

Metallic lead isn't GOOD for you. But metallic lead has relatively low bioavailability and toxicity. Anecdotally, if you're not working with leaded solders occupationally, and you're not doing stupid things (like you mentioned), your actual exposure will probably be relatively low. I knew guys who used to work for Kester solder (before the Litton buyout). The only 2 people who had abnormal lead levels were two guys who used to smoke cigs and eat sandwiches in the lead foundry (even though this was strictly against the rules, and REALLY dumb). The other people in the foundry didn't do dumb stuff like that, and their blood tests came back pretty consistently normal. The guys in the wire drawing plant likewise didn't really get any surprises when they were tested, because they didn't do dumb things.

[@ameliabuns4058]

I’ve heard from a nurse that lead can hide in your bones and not show up in blood test

[@Sheikyon]

You do nothing by undergoing a blood lead test if you also do not measure or pay attention to the amount of lead (Pb²⁺) attached to bone tissue as it is similar to calcium (Ca²⁺) in terms of properties and even when it is dispatched from the bones into the bloodstream through replacement of bone tissue, it will injure the brain. I remember reading a pertinent paper (Lead toxicity: a review) which states, "There is almost no function in the human body which is not affected by lead toxicity."

[@PhillipRhodes]

Exactly. Basically, don't chew on the (leaded) solder wire, or eat/drink after soldering without washing your hands first, and you have almost nothing to worry about.

[@mypronounismaster4450]

I was worried about handling my lead fishing weights when I was fishing. I tried to think of alternative materials I could use instead of lead. Then I decided that the easiest solution was to stop eating the fishing weights.

[@alexvids9232]

lol

[@woosix7735]

thats a certified fishing funny

[@ivansimic1878]

​@@LT.LAR3same 😅

[@gregraynard781]

most fishing weights are lead free these days.

[@goodun2974]

Leaded solder as an electrical connection and conductor tends to remain stable over a much wider range of temperature extremes, as well as vibration and mechanical stress, then lead free solder does. Leadfree solder is also far more likely to cause short circuits from the outgrowth of crystalline dendrites, also known as tin whiskers (Google the tin degradation phenomena known as "tin pest"). Alloying tin with lead ameliorates this problem. The breakdown of connections made with lead free soldier results in millions and millions of electronic devices failing prematurely every year and ending up in a landfill. If the ultimate goal is to reduce E waste going into a landfill then leaded solder is actually better for the environment. There are also many other toxic medals and compounds in electronics besides lead, and really they should all be recycled, and built to be more easily recyclable, regardless of what type of solder is used in their construction. This might make me sound cynical, but my estimation of ROHS (reduction of hazardous substance) trade agreements and legislation is that they were instituted not so much to prevent lead from getting into the environment, but to prevent manufacturers from being held financially and legally responsible to make sure that their products get recycled in a safe and ecologically sound manner. ROHS might be providing legal cover for companies to build millions of shortlived and disposable products that end up in the landfill. PS, I don't find rosin fumes from lead solder to be particularly bothersome ( your experience may differ), but fumes from the special leadfree solder fluxes are noxious and nasty and you definitely won't like them! Rosin flux is also mostly inert, non-corrosive and non-conductive, but leadfree fluxes *must* be completely removed from your circuit boards and connections, because it does conduct and is definitely corrosive.

[@goodun2974]

@Ford Simpson , no, it's about manufacturer's profits. "Leadfree" and ROHS trade agreements are about freeing manufacturers from financial liability for the pollution they create. Your reading-comprehension skills need improvement, matey.

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

With all the current developments in AI, recycling and making products that last longer will become a priority.

[@gregraynard781]

100% agree. Dead right on dendrites! And lead free flux has dangerous halogens wicked bad. Everything is recyclable and should be!

[@whollymindless]

"Soldering tips", I get the joke.

[@sirtinley-knot2944]

Glad to see you are also wearing a safety helmet.

[@chemicalBR0]

lead free solder is bad for your sanity :)

[@definingslawek4731]

Maybe he should show which kinds of lead free solder he uses, all the ones I've used so far were really not fun to work with.

[@chemicalBR0]

@@definingslawek4731 it's ALL horrible to work with, I've never used any lead free solder that was any good, most people doing this for a hobby are not doing enough soldering for it to ever be an issue. I can see the argument for unleaded solder if it is a company that is mass producing thousands of units who usually have automated soldering done by machines (which can be strictly controlled in the temperature and time the heat is applied), for a hobbyist making a few projects by hand lead free is a nightmare to work with

[@noderzleadgen]

I want my IQ and testosterone preserved for generations, thank you.@@chemicalBR0

[@soundspark]

@@chemicalBR0 Have you tried SAC305? Yes it turns dull when it cools but it is relatively easy to work with.

[@bigloser231]

Thought homie was wearing a beanie

[@mutzielen]

There are no problems with modern lead-free solder, it just isn't as shiny. Weird hipster hobbyists and boomers insisting that putting lead in all our electronics is safe and fine is actively harmful to human health. You apparently haven't noticed that soldered electronics are EVERYWHERE. `

[@markphilpot8734]

Handling the leaded solder wasn’t an issue as we used gloves. We were taught this from the start. We were also taught not to inhale the fumes that are produced as a part of the process. For those who are not contract workers for the defense industry, you can avoid issues down the road by wearing gloves and keeping your breathing out of the path of fumes. This is not a scare tactic. It is a legitimate health issue you should be aware of when using leaded or any solder. Fume extractors will work to remediate this issue and wearing gloves will inhibit direct contact with the lead in leaded solders. The flux contains compounds which will cause health issues and staying out of the fume path while breathing. Professional contractors have these safety equipment problems covered as they require glove wearing and use of fume extraction equipment during operations. Hand washing before breaks and before end of day inhibits problems down the road. Poo pooing this is futile as handling leaded products involves these precautions. The SDS clearly lays this out. This is highly evident in critical circuit soldering where the most extreme precautions are exercised. This was evident in DOD STD 2000-1 and is still evident in the JSD 006 level 3 which is also critical circuit soldering. Ignoring safety is just stupid. It’s your health here and you should care about this. I’ve been soldering since 1979. There is something that was true back then and remains true today, safety is paramount. Ignoring safety is a sure path to your own destruction. Coming in with the understanding of health and other issues saves you from too many problems. It’s up to us to avoid these problems by keeping ourselves well informed. Stay safe and press on people.

[@OAikoT]

You forgot to mention that lead free solder is banned in use for aviation due to the fact that non lead solder is much weaker and prone to popping off the joints and cracking etc when lots of vibrations and heat cycles are present.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Good to know.

[@soundspark]

Do you have a current source on that?

[@OAikoT]

@@soundspark How hard is it to use google? Took me less than minute to look it up... Seriously. leadmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lead-Matters-Casestudy-Aviation.pdf

[@gregraynard781]

1st thing you learn is that solder is not glue. Do you believe there is no real mechanical connection in aviation before it gets soldered? I am genuinely curious.

[@G5Hohn]

I use nitrile gloves, because it provides both the reduced direct lead contact but also protects my soldering from my hand oils. I'm finding I can run lower flux content wires (1.1% or 2.2% max) and still get excellent results with less flux residue to deal with.

[@Pgr-pt5ep]

As long as you wash hand before eating and don't breath solder fumes....you're wasting money on nitrile gloves.

[@G5Hohn]

@@Pgr-pt5ep Right, but the gloves protect your work from hand oils and also offer a measure of burn protection from wayward solder globs. There’s more reasons than lead contact that make them worthwhile.

[@Jonas_Keunecke]

Thanks for the video, well explained and should cover anything one would want to know, especially the points about leaded solder

[@dragoncraft6595]

I lay a newspaper on the table on which I work. After soldering I can just throw the entire sheet in the dustbin so that I have minimal lead exposure

[@274pacific]

As someone who washes his hands 400 times while cooking, this has given me lots more confidence.

[@robertyu6691]

What if I don't have neither access to nor the money to buy fume extractors?

[@comborepair]

There are ways around it, you can do your soldering in a large or open space like a garage or a room ventilated with open windows. Some also use ordinary fans to simply direct the fumes away.

[@xpump876]

What about handling lead solder? As an electronics hobbyist I've easily gone thru 10 full spools of solder in the last 2 decades and all of it handling 60/40 with my fingers. Does lead build up and stay resident in the body?

[@SRASolderLab]

We recommend washing your hands very well after handling and don't consume it in any way. I like to wear a glove on the hand I handle it with just so it mainly builds up on the glove.

[@colter7300]

@@SRASolderLab is it true that washing your hands does not get rid of all lead particles on your skin?

[@richards5855]

I’ve heard from people who’ve bought lead contamination testing kits that lead does get into the air. It might not vaporize, but particulars of the stuff do get into the fumes regardless, which means your going to have to deal with lead in the air if you use the stuff.

[@gregraynard781]

62 and healthy using leaded every day. Use a decent soap or wash twice; Dawn, Lava.@@colter7300

[@catharperfect7036]

@@richards5855 It definitely gets into the fumes, you just have to look at the filter on the fume extractor to see the lead sheen. I believe some comes off with the flux smoke.

[@PhillipRhodes]

As far as vapors go, consider this: when you solder, you're typically working with temperatures that peak out around maybe a little over 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Lead does not boil (vaporize) until 3,180 degrees Fahrenheit. But one should be soldering in a well ventilated area with good air-flow anyway, because the fumes from the flux are not particularly desirable things to be breathing anyway.

[@RedBeardRetroTech]

Thanks for the safety tips!

[@goodun2974]

What vintage keyboard are you working on at 2:10 ?

[@SRASolderLab]

It's a Farfisa Mini Compact!

[@xx3868]

is 60/40 effectively diff from 63/37? and why the slight diff?

[@SRASolderLab]

The difference is that 63/37 melts and solidifies at the same temperature whereas 60/40 has a "plastic range" so if it isn't fully heated you get a cold solder joint.

[@xx3868]

@@SRASolderLab Thanks, but why would one want 60/40 over 63/37? or even lead free... allowing for rules and manufacturing ect i understand. My 63/37 digitor solder melts like butter and is so easy to use and less risk of flexing m/B cracking solder. Why would one want 60/40?

[@SRASolderLab]

@@xx3868 The higher lead content in 60/40 leaves shinier joints. It is all a matter of preference though. People that have used 60/40 for years are likely to keep using it instead of switching.

[@mime4331]

You are so wrong saying that the fumes do not contain lead. Well the fumes (the rosin fumes) do not. But lead still evaporates from the melted solder. Constant exposure (not like a hobbyist, but daily repair) could cause lead poisoning.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

No it isn't bad for you. I have a lifetime of making and shooting lead bullets in addition to using lead based solder for work. Got tested for lead and there was nothing to even mention in the results.

[@definingslawek4731]

Interesting

[@sdriza]

my dad is/was the same... bullets, downrigger balls, fishing weights... ge was casting stuff his whole life

[@noderzleadgen]

I hope this is the same for me.

[@therandomguy7738]

I chewed some solder some time ago and now I am scared Am I safe or what?

[@therandomguy7738]

@linus cat tips looked tasty☠️

[@cocoamaster9200]

If you've chewed lead few times before it would barely do damage to your body mate, You won't get diabetes by simply eating one spoon of sugar.

[@noderzleadgen]

yeah thats not good

[@ETILHK54]

I'm working with musical equipment, mostly through hole, analog, hand soldered, nothing super tiny, and from my experience lead free doesn't really work in that environment, i can not imagine repairing/putting together a proper tube amp (for example) with lead free solder.

[@woosix7735]

in my expereince it poses no problem at all

[@brianjackson1649]

Great video!

[@tutacat]

RoHS covers multiple harmful substances.

[@abs772]

I can't understand how you acknowledge lead is toxic, present alternatives and finish by saying: it's your decision.

[@Ewr42]

It is Do you want to be careful not to eat it or do you want to be free to eat as much solder wire as you want? It won't kill you if you're not stupid, just like touching mercury is 100% safe(check out Cody's Lab video on the mercury test results after he dipped his whole arm in mercury and worked for years with mercury in the quantity of some several gallons.) The problem is inhaling hot mercury for a long amount of time or it reacting to form organic mercury compounds. As long as you're not making lead acetate to sweeten your wine or using lead pipes in your water supply system you'll be ok. Soldering with lead wire is not only safe, but the smell releases dopamine, soothes you (literally has medicinal properties similar to beer due to the amount of myrcene on the rosin), and it actually flows and shines instead of the nightmare that is lead free solder(maybe the one with silver is good but I'm not buying that ever)

[@tutacat]

Your stove doesn't have molten lead in it, hopefully. Plus it definitely doesn't have asthma-causing pine rosin in. You don't need to buy either lead, or pine rosin, to do soldering. Good soldering irons can easily go to 230°, and even a lot hotter.

[@soundspark]

Dol they still use pine rosin these days and not some synthetic stuff that is kind of similar but takes less effort to make/harvest?

[@tomokovlog8567]

Source: trust me bro

[@tikitavi7120]

Informative, thanks.

[@definingslawek4731]

Which brands / kinds of lead free solder do you recommend? All the ones I've used so far were disappointing to work with for me.

[@SRASolderLab]

What did you not like exactly about the leaded solder you've tried? Also, what kind of work are you doing and with what iron and temperature?

[@definingslawek4731]

@@SRASolderLab fine electronics work building drones and keyboards, I didn't like how goopy it was and how poorly it was wetting. Reflowing was a pain and it didn't transition instantly from solid to liquid. It just performed worse in all aspects. I have since found a video showing some decently performing unleaded solder, I might get some and build my future keyboards with unleaded solder, but I think I will stay with leaded solder for my drones as mission-critical applications still specify leaded solder like aerospace and military.

[@SRASolderLab]

@@definingslawek4731 I generally recommend using a SAC305 alloy for lead-free as it usually has the closest performance to leaded alloys like 60/40 and 63/37. You could try using an externally applied flux to speed up the heat flow/wetting process or possibly even use a slightly higher temperature. The lead-free alloys will require more heat to melt.

[@richards5855]

@@SRASolderLab Do you have any experience regarding bismuth based solders? I’ve been trying to see if maybe they might be a good substitute for leaded solders, given how close bismuth sits to lead. I’ve been finding very little info on the matter though. Would you happen to have much experience with it?

[@roryonabike5863]

I'd like to go not just lead free, but with a water soluble flux instead of rosin flux, but I'm tinning stranded wire and I'm concerned about assertions regarding flux wicking underneath insulation and causing corrosion. This is plausible, although I can't find any evidence based on tests one way or the other. Interestingly, Kester, for example, does not warn about using its water soluble 2331-ZX with stranded wire.

[@johndooley8837]

I started soldering with 60/40 solder at around age 12. For the first few years working with the telephone company almost all connections were solder joints, many years of soldering connections. In addition to personal copper pipe soldering. I have made thousands of solder joints using leaded solder. Tried lead free solder a couple of times and just don't want to deal with it, now maybe it was poor grade or maybe it's my technique, regardless it's not for me. It doesn't flow well, all joints look like cold solder joints which were considered a bad thing with leaded solder. I will soon be 69 and my health is excellent, mentally and physically fine. If you are doing occasional hobby soldering what's the big deal, you can't beat 60/40 rosin core solder for ease of use. As a side note there were 2 main soldering irons - American Beauty 150 watt with long cords, they were plugged in and powered on all day and night - 24/7 for at least 15 years with no issues except a new tip maybe once a year. They were there in use when I started work and still there when I retired 32 years later.

[@teifear7528]

That's It, 100% agree. Occasional use or hobbiest application makes lead solder prevail.. regardas

[@Graham_Wideman]

You started working for the phone company at age 12? Dang! And your side note on the 2 main soldering irons -- don't leave us hanging, what was the other one?

[@definingslawek4731]

From what I've seen leaded solder costs a lot more than unleaded but people in the hobbys I practice all spring for the leaded ones ayway.

[@SRASolderLab]

Leaded is a bit easier to work with and a lot of people are simply just used to it. Also, if they're reworking older equipment, it is important to use similar alloy/flux. I'm not sure where you're located but where we are located in the US, lead-free is typically pricier.

[@soundspark]

@@SRASolderLab In some countries, leaded solder is restricted due to RoHS.

[@maggiehoult9382]

SoLder not SoDer !.

[@gregraynard781]

both

[@tjmarx]

Read less, talk more.

[@rickpontificates3406]

Actually, having been in electronics now for 40 years, I used to get lead level blood tests and the doctor consulted his PDR and told me that "80% of inhaled lead fumes are absorbed" (not good)

[@roryonabike5863]

I've decided to go lead free because it's unlikely that the devices I make will go to a lead recycling operation and because the current arguments for leaded sound a lot like grasping at straws. You might as well argue for leaded gasoline and paint :)

[@godfreypoon5148]

Have fun with that.

[@roryonabike5863]

@@godfreypoon5148 Let us know when you join the 21st century. Recently, one of the most important makers of custom power and audio cables for the film industry told me that it uses lead-free solder in all of its builds.

[@godfreypoon5148]

@@roryonabike5863 Important film industry *cables* ? Grow some self awareness, kid.

[@roryonabike5863]

@@godfreypoon5148 Speaking of self-awareness, you're the guy who spends his time making bad KZbin videos about his poor eBay purchases :)

[@godfreypoon5148]

@@roryonabike5863 I don't see your point.