Rank: Forum user 
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We are an electronics company just swopping over to lead free solder, since swopping over I've had a couple of members of staff reporting sore throats and nose irritation. COSHH assessments have been done accompanied with SDS for the wire (which states no nose or throat irritations present). Soldering irons have tip extraction which is tested weekly and the LEV tested annually so no issues along those areas. Has anyone else out there come across these issues? and how did you rectify them, any information wouild be much appreciated. Neil
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Perhaps you may need additional extraction ? are you sure their irritations are not due to it being winter with sore throats etc
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Off at a tangent: has your company fully appraised the techical issues.
Google "tin whiskers"
Now being described in some places as a global slow train crash
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Rank: Super forum user
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Nelly,
Do staff have desk top fans creating air turbulence issues with the tip extract LEV. Have any changes been made to flux used duing the process? Are solvent cleaners used to remove contamination? Have these all been assessed.
Lead free solder has been around for years, how does it perform technically and without critisism, why so long to change from lead based?
Simon
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Originally Posted by: nelly13  We are an electronics company just swopping over to lead free solder, since swopping over I've had a couple of members of staff reporting sore throats and nose irritation. COSHH assessments have been done accompanied with SDS for the wire (which states no nose or throat irritations present). Soldering irons have tip extraction which is tested weekly and the LEV tested annually so no issues along those areas. Has anyone else out there come across these issues? and how did you rectify them, any information wouild be much appreciated. Neil
You say COSHH for the wire, what about the flux ? Just because you have extraction at the soldering iron tip, does not mean fume is not being given off when the tip is moved else where. Might it be worth watching the individuals for any bad practice when they think no one is looking ? Just some thoughts Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks all some good points, gerry yes I have considered winter colds so I'm monitoring any sick days!!! to answer Simons question, we manufacture hospital life critical equipment therefore as with most aerospace we had an exception to change to lead free immediately, however due to availability and cost of lead solder nowadays we need to start to swop over. I've also considered increasing the LEV (easier said than done with our arrangement), but I think my next step is to carryout air monitoring around the workstation
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Rank: Forum user 
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Rank: Forum user
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The tip extraction may no longer be effective due to; heavier particles (not captured), lighter particles (go past), or the tip is clogged (new deposition). Also check that just because the solder is lead free - supported by the MSDS/CoSHH - the lead free core may have colophony/rosin coating - colophony is the main irritant within solder.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I agree with James, the rosin hazard is the one you need to be avoiding with good effective local extraction. In fact I read in guidance that for lead-containing soldering the lead doesn't get into the fumes!
Temperature not high enough, maybe others with more knowledge in electronics safety can confirm that??
JohnW
Edited by user 23 January 2017 17:34:15(UTC)
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