Soldering and other skills (was Re: QL-Quality (Was: ZX-81 Question))

From: John Chris Wren <jcwren_at_jcwren.com>
Date: Sun Mar 31 23:56:32 2002

        If you're truly concerned about lead uptake, I believe there is a test you
can have done. I have no idea if it's a biopsy of an organ that's most
susceptible to lead uptake, or if they can do it with a blood sample. You
might pull a MSDS for the solder you use the most, and see what they
mention.

        I solder maybe an hour a week, on average. This thought has crossed my
mind, along with all the other dumb shit stuff I've exposed myself to.
Paints, fuels, glues, assorted chemicals, sand blasting for a week without
breathing protection (silicosis, microscopic particles of silicate that wind
up in the lungs), exhaust, Dog knows what else.

        I do know it's highly recommended to have good ventilation when soldering
(something I'm not the always the best about. "Well, it's just tacking a
couple wires. I don't need to get the fan out.") And now, with these
so-called 'No Kleen' solders, who knows what fumes *they* put off. We
pretty much knew what rosin, tin and lead would do. Then you start adding
in liquid fluxes and stuff... Who knows.

        --John

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> [mailto:owner-classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Doc
> Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 0:15 AM
> To: classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org
> Subject: RE: Soldering and other skills (was Re: QL-Quality (Was: ZX-81
> Question))
>
>
> On Sun, 31 Mar 2002, Dave McGuire wrote:
>
> > On March 31, John Chris Wren wrote:
> > > It's true. The mercury was used to stiffen the brims.
> Chronic hat wearers
> > > also had problems.
> >
> > So does anyone have any idea how much lead is present in the vapors
> > produced by soldering? I know (for our kind of stuff, anyway) the
> > smoke is mostly flux and crap, but is there much lead in there?
> >
> > I solder a *lot*, especially lately...I'm wondering if I should be
> > concerned.
> >
> > -Dave
>
> Umm, Have you looked at your .sig lately?
>
> > --
> > Dave McGuire "...it's leaving me this unpleasant,
> > St. Petersburg, FL damp feeling on my shorts..." -Sridhar
>
>
> Doc
>
Received on Sun Mar 31 2002 - 23:56:32 BST