Soldering fumes: Lead-free versus lead-containing

Andreas Thaler · May 11, 2025

I think there's a common understanding that soldering fumes should not be inhaled.

However, this information is new to me:

Working with lead-free solders releases more harmful fumes than leaded tin solders because the soldering temperatures are higher and more aggressive fluxes are required for perfect solder joints. [Google Translate, German > English]

Lötdampf-Schadstoffe

Distelkamp Electronic Kaiserslautern Lötdampf und Schadstoff Absorber Arbeitsschutz Löten Lötrauch bleifrei Lötdampfabsauger

www.loetdampf.de

What do you think about this?

And how do you deal with soldering fumes?

4season · May 11, 2025

I'll have to take their word for it. I use leaded solder when working on pre-ROHS devices, and lead-free for all newer construction.

I use a Weller WSA350 but don't know that I'd recommend it, because airflow isn't especially strong, and I have the sense that it's not too effective.

Andreas Thaler · May 11, 2025

I've been working with this device for years

Lötdampfabsorber LDA 1

Lötdampf, Schadstoff, Absorber

www.loetdampf.de

and just ordered this one because it's quieter and has a higher suction power.

Schadstoff und Lötdampfabsorber LDA 4

Schadstoffabsorber, Lötdampfabsorber LDA 4 Lötrauchabsaugung, Lötdampfabsaugung, Lötdampfabsorber, Lötrauchabsorber Durch den Einsatz von 4 Low Noise Lüftern (Flüsterlüftern) beträgt die Geräuschentwicklung nur 36 dBA. Somit ist der ...

www.loetdampf.de

Both have replaceable activated carbon filters.

I spend many hours with my cameras, and there's a lot of soldering to do. Not all the time, though, but I think it's a good thing.

Once a blow of soldering fumes directly into your nose and eyes is enough

bernard_L · May 11, 2025

Yes. Blowing away or sucking out the fumes is more important than which type of solder. Plus, lead-free solder may be all right for a controlled process and one-time assembly, but for amateurs, lead-tin is significantly more pleasant. Not only amateur; I developed some electronic hardware alongside professional electronicians in a university lab, and they used lead-tin exclusively.

At home, I use a fan from a PC, 12V nominal, powered at 5V, blowing across the work area. Low tech solution. Fumes are diluted into the room and not objectionable.

Meinrad · May 11, 2025

i have soldered for almost whole my live and i am an somewhat old man. Some years ago my blood was tested and too high lead values have been found.
I have 1000 of problems but not related to lead ;-)
So don't worry and think too much, just do not overdoe something...

And don`t take live too serious - it's not forever....

mtnbkr · May 11, 2025

I don't do any soldering on cameras, but I do a small amount in my other hobbies. I can't stand lead-free solder and have a few rolls of lead/tin solder on hand. Hopefully that will last me...

Chris

250swb · May 11, 2025

Just take deep breaths, the fumes soon go away.

I started soldering as a kid making slot cars from brass rod and strip in the 1960's. And on and off it's continued until soldering is often now part of my job. I'm old enough to know soldering isn't going to kill me as an occasional requirement. And I really don't like scare stories that would try to stop people from making things and enjoying the satisfaction of doing it properly.

koraks · May 13, 2025

A family member of ours died in the 1990s of a neurodegenerative disease at a relatively young age (early 70s). He had worked all his life in a metalworking shop - welding, casting, grinding etc etc. All with at most some very basic protection - if that. I suspect that his prolonged exposure to heavy metals (as part of the alloys commonly handled) could have played a role in his demise. But daily exposure to large volumes of fumes etc for decades in end is a totally different scenario from a hobbyist doing some soldering on a project from time to time.

To contrast the story above, my dad is about to turn 89 next month and has done soldering (all with lead/tin alloy of course) as an electronics and HAM enthusiast since his teens. He's a stout octogenarian in relatively good health and shape.

Solder with leaded solder or leadfree, whichever the heck pleases you. Don't use the stuff as incense but otherwise just apply common sense and you'll be fine.

Btw, I prefer leaded solder. Lower melting temperature, works great, creates perfectly reliable welds that last indefinitely. I strongly doubt that any appreciable amount of lead will end up in your body as a result of the use of lead/tin solder as the stuff really doesn't vaporize at the relatively low temperatures involved in soldering. It's not welding, remember! There will undoubtedly be minute trace amounts of airborne lead involved, but I doubt they are relevant compared with the vapors of burning flux - or even much, much worse from a health perspective: a July afternoon barbeque.

Andreas Thaler · May 13, 2025

I think we should reduce our exposure to pollutants as much as possible.

When soldering, you can't always have the window open and sit directly in front of it, so an absorber is a good idea.

The same applies to all solvents, whose vapors the absorber also passes through its activated carbon filter.

While this isn't an extraction system that removes air from the room, I think it's useful, especially for DIY repairers who don't work 24/7

Andreas Thaler · May 14, 2025

My Distelkamp LDA 4 solder fume and pollutant absorber arrived today.

A solid, all-metal design with four fans and acticved carbon filter.

It's pleasantly quiet, powerful, and even absorbs the fumes from my solvents.

The optional base is made of cast iron with an all-metal ball joint.

I replaced the smaller version with this one after years.

The service and delivery times are excellent.

I can recommend this manufacturer.

Schadstoff und Lötdampfabsorber LDA 4

Schadstoffabsorber, Lötdampfabsorber LDA 4 Lötrauchabsaugung, Lötdampfabsaugung, Lötdampfabsorber, Lötrauchabsorber Durch den Einsatz von 4 Low Noise Lüftern (Flüsterlüftern) beträgt die Geräuschentwicklung nur 36 dBA. Somit ist der ...

www.loetdampf.de

Infos über Aktivkohlefilter

www.loetdampf.de

(All German)

mshchem · May 14, 2025

Lax worker safety rules in the past, in the United States, when I watch videos on YouTube. Everything was in the air. Amazing people lived to 40.

I'm sure it's still not good in the "low cost areas" of production today.

Andreas Thaler · May 14, 2025

mshchem said:
Lax worker safety rules in the past, in the United States, when I watch videos on YouTube. Everything was in the air. Amazing people lived to 40.

I'm sure it's still not good in the "low cost areas" of production today.

In 1974, an hour at a city crossroads - who cared what was in the air?

And in winter, the coal-fired heating that speckled the snow black.

Candy with some kind of coloring for the children.

All of this is unimaginable today, at least here in Austria.

mehguy · May 27, 2025

I am allergic to most solder it seems. It's fumes start to make my nose run.

There is the Hakko FA-400 that is available.

Alternatively, there are many inexpensive ones available too from Chinese brands. I don't think the quality matters too much since it is mostly just a fan with a carbon pad on the other side to absorb the fumes.

tjwspm · May 27, 2025

Meinrad said:
i have soldered for almost whole my live and i am an somewhat old man. Some years ago my blood was tested and too high lead values have been found.
I have 1000 of problems but not related to lead ;-)
So don't worry and think too much, just do not overdoe something...

And don`t take live too serious - it's not forever....

tjwspm · May 27, 2025

250swb said:
Just take deep breaths, the fumes soon go away.

I started soldering as a kid making slot cars from brass rod and strip in the 1960's. And on and off it's continued until soldering is often now part of my job. I'm old enough to know soldering isn't going to kill me as an occasional requirement. And I really don't like scare stories that would try to stop people from making things and enjoying the satisfaction of doing it properly.

Andreas Thaler · Jun 1, 2025

Andreas Thaler said:
View attachment 398417

My Distelkamp LDA 4 solder fume and pollutant absorber arrived today.

A solid, all-metal design with four fans and acticved carbon filter.

It's pleasantly quiet, powerful, and even absorbs the fumes from my solvents.

The optional base is made of cast iron with an all-metal ball joint.

I replaced the smaller version with this one after years.

The service and delivery times are excellent.

I can recommend this manufacturer.

Schadstoff und Lötdampfabsorber LDA 4

Schadstoffabsorber, Lötdampfabsorber LDA 4 Lötrauchabsaugung, Lötdampfabsaugung, Lötdampfabsorber, Lötrauchabsorber Durch den Einsatz von 4 Low Noise Lüftern (Flüsterlüftern) beträgt die Geräuschentwicklung nur 36 dBA. Somit ist der ...

www.loetdampf.de

Infos über Aktivkohlefilter

www.loetdampf.de

(All German)

I now work regularly with this absorber, and I'm very satisfied.

No soldering fumes get in my nose or eyes, and even solvent fumes are extracted.

With its split stand and vertical position, the unit takes up very little space on the table.

The noise from the four built-in fans is muffled, and I can listen to music while I work. The gentle breeze is pleasant.

Andreas Thaler · Jun 1, 2025

This is particularly helpful when working with desoldering braid and a lot of flux, as whole clouds of smoke rise up and disappear into the absorber.

drboone · Jun 5, 2025

Some information from MIT Environmental Health. Note comments about what metal does and doesn't vaporize: the tin and lead don't, but lead oxides, which are among the worst offenders in lead-related health issues, do. Page 2 also describes some of the fume products of rosin, including things like formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene.

https://ehs.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/EHS-0167.pdf

Sirius Glass · Jun 5, 2025

I solder with the work at the bench is fore arms length from my face. That way any fumes are away from my face. I have never had a problem with using lead based solder.

blee1996 · Jun 6, 2025

When I was a teenager, I did a little bit of soldering for electronics hobby. I thought the fumes from pine resin is quite enjoyable.

Nowadays I occasionally solder for repairs, and find the lead-free solder reasonably easy to handle. Our kids school has mandatory lab training for soldering, which I highly appreciate.

F4U · Jun 6, 2025

koraks said:
A family member of ours died in the 1990s of a neurodegenerative disease at a relatively young age (early 70s). He had worked all his life in a metalworking shop - welding, casting, grinding etc etc. All with at most some very basic protection - if that. I suspect that his prolonged exposure to heavy metals (as part of the alloys commonly handled) could have played a role in his demise. But daily exposure to large volumes of fumes etc for decades in end is a totally different scenario from a hobbyist doing some soldering on a project from time to time.

To contrast the story above, my dad is about to turn 89 next month and has done soldering (all with lead/tin alloy of course) as an electronics and HAM enthusiast since his teens. He's a stout octogenarian in relatively good health and shape.

Solder with leaded solder or leadfree, whichever the heck pleases you. Don't use the stuff as incense but otherwise just apply common sense and you'll be fine.

Btw, I prefer leaded solder. Lower melting temperature, works great, creates perfectly reliable welds that last indefinitely. I strongly doubt that any appreciable amount of lead will end up in your body as a result of the use of lead/tin solder as the stuff really doesn't vaporize at the relatively low temperatures involved in soldering. It's not welding, remember! There will undoubtedly be minute trace amounts of airborne lead involved, but I doubt they are relevant compared with the vapors of burning flux - or even much, much worse from a health perspective: a July afternoon barbeque.

That's a reply I can't improve upon with my 2 cents worth. It was literary beauty. You''ll die when you die. But 60/40 lead tin is the ONLY solder. And it wasn't that which was the cause of your demise. Breath in before you do the connection and exhale while it's in progress. 2 seconds at most. If you were a lead miner by profession, then maybe.

Soldering fumes: Lead-free versus lead-containing

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