Your sentiments have been expressed many times over on the LeadFree forum as
well. And your point is well taken. Remember, there are two forces working
here, the forces of Law and the forces of the Marketplace.

With respect to the law, put your thoughts on paper and send them to
legislators.

With respect to the marketplace, I am at a loss. I hope that the green
consumers will listen, learn and choose wisely.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Joseph Fjelstad
  Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2001 8:35 PM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: [TN] Solving the 0.25% problem


  Hello friends,

  I continue to be amazed at how much energy is being leveled at the
lead-free issue. Which is a shame because there are so many truly important
issues that are not being looked into. Especially given that lead in
electronics has never been shown to be a hazard or a problem to humans.
(Lead in human blood plasma has actually gone down significantly in the past
20 years) CRTs are a possible exception as the leaded glass to stop x-rays
may be an issue but that lead is at least bound in glass.  (Alas, such the
power of fear based marketing)

  In my limited research, lead in electronics appears to account for less
than 0.5% of all lead used globally on an annual basis. It may be less than
0.25% as one soon to be released research report I just read has the number
at 0.2%  or a factor of 10 times less.

  (I know the IPC web site says less than 2% and it is true but not accurate
because 0.5% is in fact less than 2%. It appears to have come from a US EPA
study that was done in the 1980s and relates primarily to the US. I think
they will get around to changing it someday when they have the time. I
mentioned this to David some time back and he was going to have Chris look
into it but Chris moved on before that happened, I am guessing)

  Remember that different profiles will be required for all of the different
solders you use as military, medical, automotive and high reliability
electronics are exempted you will likely have two or more solder lines
running several different profiles. Also be reminded that the lines will
likely have to be slowed down to get good wetting in reflow soldering and
NEMI is recommending a wave soldering temperature of 275ºC. You may wish to
read the NCMS and NEMI reports.

  Remember also that there is no "world wide" directive yet. The US is,
however, going to be taking a science based look at the issue. The IPC, EIA
and EPA are going to do a co-sponsored risk analysis of lead-free. If a
small part of what I have read and learned is true lead-free is going not
going to get any green stickers due to the excessive energy requirements for
prebakes and long assembly cycles.

  I have nothing to sell or gain from all of this, no matter what happens
over the long haul I do, however, have a strong interest in truth. ( For the
record, I also favored lead-free on principle when it first came about, but
my deeper look into the matter has caused me to question the intelligence
and rational of the movement)

  Best wishes and kind regard to all,
  Joe