Does anyone know for reals? Is it like leaded gasoline; the more you use it, the less it seems to matter? /s
I’m not about the percentage, but due to lead’s toxicity it is probably more important to avoid touching or breathing in funes from lead soldier as much as possible. Beyond that wearing proper gloves and masks to avoid inhaling fumes will be safer than touching it and trying to wash it off.
Whatever other steps you take, stop licking the soldering iron.
Only lick the soldering iron when it’s turned on. That way, the ouchies from the heat cancel out the ouchies from the lead poisoning. Trust me, I’m an expert at licking things other people say shouldn’t be licked
Only lick the soldering iron when it’s turned on.
Hey siri, how do I arouse a soldering iron?
But it tastes so sweet!
Here’s the relevant safety guides from Stanford and MIT.
In short, if you do a lot of soldering, there are long-term occupational hazards from both lead oxides and rosin. Both guides agree that the main hazards are the fumes (workstation should have a fume extractor or suitable filter) and residue on your hands (wash hands with soap and water before eating).
I couldn’t find any numbers on how much material is removed by washing, but every reference emphasized that soap and water are vitally important.
Nearly every activity should be preceded by and followed by a good handwashing. Keeps you well.
Metallic lead is reasonably safe to touch. Its lead fumes and micro particles getting in ur bloodstream through ur lungs or ingesting it that is the worry.
Is there any reason people still use lead solder? I mean… I use silver for jewelry soldering and I know silver and copper can both easily work well for electronics , so in what application is lead necessary?
Avoid and mitigate fumes. Buy a jug of D-Lead hand soap and laundry detergent and use it. Get regular blood tests for lead levels.
If you have or are regularly around small children, you need to be extremely diligent about the above. That goes for all you idiots obsessed with guns as well. Primers use lead styphnate and create lead vapor everytime you fire. Worse with rifles because your face/body is closer to the expelled gases. Aside from breathing it in, you’re also getting a nice patina of lead residue on your arms, shirt, face, hair, etc. You’re also likely tracking in lead residue from your shoes into your home. If your kids play on the floor, guess what.
Do NOT fuck with lead. There’s no safe level of exposure, and it can be devastating to the developing brains of children.
