Are there any reported dangers of solder use? Long term affects? etc???
Anyone seen any research?
from a paranoid new comer
nope.
don't eat it
wash your hands after using it
if you're doing a lot of soldering, get a fume extraction fan
otherwise, just try not to breath in the fumes.
I have a routine whereby I time my breathing with my soldering action. Breath out as the fumes are being created, breath in while you're cleaning the tip or whatever...
There's plenty of discussion about it on the net, but I can't refer you anything specific.
Here is a link to a MSDS - the hazard exposure info is near the bottom. There are plenty of worse things on the planet. I've been soldering for years and my lung feels great!! :)
http://www.frymetals.com/pdf_uploads/rosinfluxcoredsolderwireswrpwrmapwrapleadfree.PDF
AL
I got a huge Roll of sweet lead solder...a little bit juicy and foamy, but flows real good.
I rigged up a cooling fan [4''] and a bunch of 4'' tubes. the inlet is in a Med large cardboard box
the whole affair including getting the tubes took less than a few hours to build about a year ago.
THE best way [according to soldermaster general...lol] IS the [fairly small diameter metal tube that sucks all air near the tip of the iron...the turns to flexible tubing so you can move the iron around...takes alot of suction I didn't have when I tried it with a 1/2 inch tube, so I tried the cooling fan method...try a cooling fan and 4 inch tube, I have enouhg air-draw to move the thing around about 4''- 6'' away from under the bottom of the opening before whisps escape.
People think lead is the problem, but the flux fumes are probably more of a worry.
www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/books/chem/chebbbba.htm