safety of lead free solder

[John Douglas]

I had thought lead-free solder was considered safe.

I was prepared to let a 12 year old begin soldering (under supervision)
until I saw a warning on the back of the package stating that 'this
product contains a known carinogen to the state of Calif' (not exact
quote). Its standard stock lead-free solder from Radio Shack having
96% tin, 4% silver. (Where's the carcinogen in that?)

I am reluctant to let a child use this solder.
Does a safe solder exist?

Thanks,
JD

 

[Silver Surfer]

If you go to the Kester Web site and check their MSDS section for a
particular solder product you will find the specific carcinogenic hazards
detailed there. The information should be similar for the Radio Shack
product you are using.

"John Douglas" <jdamja@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1116945472.214926.252050@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

I had thought lead-free solder was considered safe.

I was prepared to let a 12 year old begin soldering (under supervision)
until I saw a warning on the back of the package stating that 'this
product contains a known carinogen to the state of Calif' (not exact
quote). Its standard stock lead-free solder from Radio Shack having
96% tin, 4% silver. (Where's the carcinogen in that?)

I am reluctant to let a child use this solder.
Does a safe solder exist?

Thanks,
JD

 

[Don Klipstein]

In article <1116945472.214926.252050@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, John
Douglas wrote:

I had thought lead-free solder was considered safe.

I was prepared to let a 12 year old begin soldering (under supervision)
until I saw a warning on the back of the package stating that 'this
product contains a known carinogen to the state of Calif' (not exact
quote). Its standard stock lead-free solder from Radio Shack having
96% tin, 4% silver. (Where's the carcinogen in that?)

The flux may contain something known to have a nonzero rate of causing
cancer to mice or rats if they are fed/injected/gassed daily for months
(or surgically implanted) with not quite enough of the stuff to kill them in
some other way.

What is known outside the State of California to be a laughingstock is
California's legislature, which got us warning labels that say things such
as Christmas lights being known to cause birth defects, etc. Apparently
most materials other than legislator brains are known to the State of
California to be carcinogens!

Actually, flux fumes aren't perfectly safe to breathe so it's a good
idea to not breathe too much flux fumes, although flux fumes are probably
not one of the major hazards in the life of someone who even solders for a
living. Same can be said of most other smokes and dusts in concentrations
that are visible in room air.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

 

[JeffM]

I saw a warning on the back of the package stating that 'this
product contains a known carinogen to the state of Calif'
(not exact quote).
Its standard stock lead-free solder from Radio Shack having
96% tin, 4% silver.
John Douglas

What is known outside the State of California to be a laughingstock is
California's legislature, which got us warning labels that say things such
as Christmas lights being known to cause birth defects
Don Klipstein

Nope. Can't blame this one on the professional lawmakers.
This was Proposition 65,
a populist initiative sponsored by citizens who failed science.
These things (Props) are done when the Assembly is being too
deliberative
and actually take time to examine the facts.

 

[kell]

I have no doubt that there is some

element, probably chromium, in some alloy in the parts of that engine
that, in the right form and sufficient dose, could cause cancer.

There goes my plan to make it into the Guinnes Book of World Records by
eating twenty seven model airplane engines.