Ryan,
There are OSHA limits to the amount of lead that a human can be exposed to.

Here is the intro portion of the OSHA reg on lead:
"29 CFR 1910.1025
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides protection
to workers from exposure to lead in the workplace. Elements of this OSHA
standard include:  exposure assessment and reduction, protective equipment,
housekeeping and hygiene, medical surveillance, and employee information and
training."

Exposure Limits:
OSHA Limit                                      0.05 mg/M3   (50mg/M3)
OSHA Action Level                               0.03 mg/M3     (30mg/M3)
ACGIH TLV                                       0.05 mg/M3     (50mg/M3)

An Industrial Hygiene study can be done to gage the employees exposure
levels.  This can be done by yourself with the right equipment, however it
is best to bring in an IHS consultant.  Many times your company's insurance
carrier can provide this, sometimes at no cost.

I have used fume extraction equipment on reflow systems and for dust
collection on wavesolders during the de-drossing processes.  You have to
make sure that the extractors filters are checked regularly.  In our case
the extraction equipment use allowed us to eliminate the need for a
respirator program for the wavesolder operators.




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ryan Chase [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 1999 6:55 AM
> Subject: Solder Fumes
>
>
> This question may have been asked before but I searched through
> the archives and I couldn't find anything.
>
> Does anyone know of any studies that have been done on the
> effects of solder fumes on humans?  long or short term.
>
> I am attempting to "quantify" the purchase of fume extraction
> equipment.
>
> What I am asking is:
>
> What is harmful about solder fumes?
>         As far as I knew, as long as the temperatures stayed below
> 1000 degrees that lead will not become airborne.
>
> Is there a government requirement (OHSA or WHMIS) that limits the
> exposure to these fumes?
>
> I have already purchased and installed the extraction equipment,
> now I guess I am trying to justify why I purchased the equipment.
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated.
>
> Regards,
> Ryan Chase
> -----------------------
> Ryan Chase
> Manufacturing Engineer
> GE Harris
> 403-214-4502
> Fax 403-287-3107
> [log in to unmask]
>

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