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Finally got my soldering equipment ๐Ÿฅฐ but... is the flux going to kill me? ๐Ÿ’€ (piefed.cdn.blahaj.zone)
submitted 2 days ago by to c/techsupport@lemmy.world
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I have never seen this many warning signs on anything that I have ever bought. I know that I'm supposed to suck away the soldering fumes, even if I use lead free solder, which I'm going to do with a 12 volt computer fan fitted with a carbon filter. But what the heck is in the flux that will damage my nervous system... ๐Ÿ’€ putting my mask back on... ๐Ÿ˜ท

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[โ€“] 11 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Most solder is lead-based. At over 900 degrees Fahrenheit, lead fumes are breathable. Lead poisoning is bad news.

Use the correct heat setting and make sure you work in a well-ventilated area or use a respirator.

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  • [โ€“] 14 points 2 days ago*

    I don't have numbers to back this up, but I have medium doubts that most solder used in electronics is lead based these days. There are plenty of lead free options available, and electronics as a whole are moving that way. Anything with an RoHS label will be lead free for example. If products in these categories are sold in the EU they have to meet the standard.

    Edit: This is not an argument against ventilation though! You should still have some kind of air handling on account of the flux fumes, and also any other metal fumes that may not be good. Better than lead doesn't always mean completely harmless.

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  • [โ€“] [S] 4 points 2 days ago (1 child)

    Copy that! Looking up recommended temps for my solder, the iron model and work type.

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  • [โ€“] 11 points 2 days ago

    Just FYI this is a hugely overstated risk. You can melt leaded solder with a Zippo (~350F) while lead only begins to produce a tiny amount of point vaporization at ~900F, so the safe range for your iron's temperature is large.

    You're doing the right thing setting your iron to match the solder. Beyond that, just thoroughly clean your station and wash your hands after you're done.

    Separately, I don't think rosin is all that harmful, but it's certainly very irritating if the fumes get in your eyes. Your basic fume hood should be more than sufficient.

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