“Soft soldering” is a widely used technique in the electronics industry for joining electronic components to printed circuit boards. Traditionally the solder was an alloy of lead and tin, typically containing about 40% lead. It is well known that lead is a highly toxic metal, potentially causing a wide range of harmful effects. Children are particularly susceptible.
The use of lead solders has been effectively banned in Europe for most purposes since 1 July 2006 by the EU Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (2002/95/EC), commonly referred to as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive or RoHS. The reason for this change was to reduce the discharge of lead into the environment, particularly during the disposal of electronic components. However there are still some applications where lead based solders are permitted.
Where lead containing solders are used, the risk from lead is usually very low. This may seem strange given the high percentage of the metal in the solder. However, soldering is usually carried out at a temperature of around 380 C and significant lead fume is only evolved at temperatures above 450 C. So exposure by inhalation is normally insignificant. This is recognised in the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) supporting the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW). Table 2 in the ACoP (reproduced below) lists processes which are not liable to result in significant exposure to lead. This list includes “Low-temperature melting of lead (below 500°C)” during soldering.
Soldering can produce “dross” – fine particles of solder. Inhalation is likely to occur occur if the dust is disturbed and it may be accidentally ingested if the fingers and hands become contaminated. So its important that appropriate precautions are taken to minimise these risks. However, with well managed soldering processes lead exposure should be minimal.
Despite this a client of ours who carry out soldering with lead based solders (they undertake a process which is exempt from the restrictions imposed by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) had a visit from a Factory Inspector who insisted that they carry out air sampling and blood lead measurements. The management, who are very conscientious about their responsibilities regarding health and safety, pointed out the guidance in the ACoP, but despite this the Inspector was insistent.
The company asked us to undertake the sampling. I’m glad to say that, as expected, exposures were very low. In fact no lead was detected on any of the samples, meaning that the time weighted average concentrations were less than 2% of the lead exposure limit.
It’s disappointing that the Factory Inspector asked the company to pursue this issue, which involved a significant cost, especially as the HSE’s own guidance is quite clear. Perhaps this case suggests that general Inspectors need to be given more training on occupational hygiene.
The real issue with soldering is the fume produced by the flux – usually containing colophony (also known as rosin), which is manufactured from pine resin, and is usually contained within the soldering wire (rosin cored solder), although liquid fluxes are also used in some cases. The flux is needed to prevent oxidation of components, remove contaminants from the surface of the components, and reduce the surface tension of the molten solder. When heated during soldering it vapourises and condenses into fine particles, which form the fume which is usually clearly visible as a white smoke. Thermal degradation of the colophony also generates irritant gases.
Rosin cored solder fume is a well established respiratory sensitiser, and is one of the main causes of occupational asthma in Great Britain. Colophony fume is generated at temperatures above about 180 C, well below the temperatures associated with soft soldering. So significant concentrations can be evolved. The higher the temperature, the more fume is generated. The lead free solders introduced since the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive was implemented in 2006 tend to have higher melting points than the traditional lead:tin types. So, ironically, the elimination of lead for environmental reasons has led to a potential for increased exposures to a potent asthmagen in the workplace.
(Note: HSE have produced guidance on the hazards and legal requirements and on the control of rosin cored solder fume.)
Recognition, Evaluation, Control 
Can’t you tell the factory Inspector to check with his specialists before going to the expense of testing. You should ask him what the dangers of lead free solder. One of the dangers which the operator doesn’t face but the end users does is Tin Whiskers. the jury is out as to whether this was the real caused of Toyota’s sudden unexpected acceleration.
Hi. Thanks for your comment.
It’s not so easy to tell a factory inspector to do anything – you can only ask nicely!. Our client had a choice – continue to argue his case or shrug his shoulders and do what he was told. He took the latter, easier, option. We were called in at that point.
Hi, what would lead exposure be if these fine particles are not manged? I soldered two days a week when i was 8 until i was 14 at an electronics club these particles were everywhere, i didn’t wash my hands didn’t take any measures because i was not aware of any danger. Very worried :s
Well, it’s hard to give a definitive answer without having seen the workplace and observed work practices, but lead exposure during soldering is normally low. First thing is that the risk from lead during soldering is low – the fume is unlikely to have contained significant lead – the main concern is the rosin flux. Your main potential for exposure to lead would have been ingestion from contaminated hands and it seems unlikely that there would have been much uptake via this route. Also you don’t say how old you are now but if it is a number of years since you were 14 then I can’t see any reason for suspecting that you’ll be suffering from the effects of lead poisoning. Of course, if you’re still worried, you could seek medical advice.
…and it’d be expensive, but there are some fancy tests that can guess your lifetime lead exposure by measuring lead in your bones
One more : http://www.gezinsbode.nl/files/2016/07/Foto-Anna-Helfrich-Olympische-Zomerweken.jpg
This is recent. They now have the copper for absorbing the solder we just used to tick the solder iron so it platted on the table
Thank you for writing this article. Helped me understand the risks of soldering before attempting to undertake experiments at home.
hii.. is it good for safety in soldering process had beard ?
Hi. No I’m afraid that possessing a beard will have no beneficial effects.
Really informative piece – thank you for writing this