All too often people discuss lead fumes without addressing lead dust.
The number one cause of lead poisoning is inhalation of lead dust. When
we're talking about a wavesolder machine lead dust is a very serious
issue. If we're talking about soldering irons then lead dust is almost
a non-issue. Bev is correct, however, in reminding us that any handling
of lead- bearing solder will result in lead exposure and hygiene is
important.
Also, not only flux fumes must be considered. Solder operators are
likely burning all kinds of insulation, conformal coatings, etc. as
well. Activated carbon does a pretty good job eliminating this
"potpourri" of chemicals but only if it's still activated. Personally I
prefer the hole in the roof. Pigeons don't file workers compensation
claims if maintenance gets a little lax and doesn't change the filter
for a couple of years. And I sleep well at night knowing that birth
defects are not coming from any of my decisions.
Regards, Russ Winslow
Six Sigma
1940 Concourse Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
[log in to unmask]
http://www.sixsigmaservices.com
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of <Joseph M. Webb>
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 1999 1:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Solder Fumes
I think it important when considering the question, and answers, that we
differentiate between fumes associated with solder, or a solder
containing
product (pastes), and fluxes. One of the key considerations is the vapor
pressure of the metal constituents, lead being the focus here. It is
quite
low at the temperatures we are talking about, virtually undetectable. A
flux material, on the other hand, is much more inclined to undergo phase
change and become airborne.
It is imperative that proper venting and hygiene practices be in effect
for
any industrial process, but it is critical to know what you are trying
to
capture or treat in order to properly design and implement procedures
and
processes.
I wish to clarify that the effects mentioned, while accurate in
description, should be associated with the volatile components, not the
metals.
Joseph Webb
TET/Halco
################################################################
TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV
1.8c
################################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with
following text in the body:
To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name>
To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TechNet
################################################################
Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services"
section for additional information.
For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or
847-509-9700 ext.312
################################################################
################################################################
TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
################################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body:
To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name>
To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TechNet
################################################################
Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information.
For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312
################################################################
|
