Flux dangers? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Boom · 29th Aug 2010, 2:08 pm

I'm dabbling in a little project in which lead free solder must be used. Are there any alleged dangers associated with using Telux flux with non-lead solder or must I use a special flux?

G4XWDJim · 29th Aug 2010, 3:04 pm

Telux flux is the sort of stuff plumbers use and I think relatively harmless given that you tend to be at more of a distance from it when plumbing than you are when sitting over your soldering iron.

Ordinary multicored solder has resin flux which is very dangerous to inhale the fumes from giving rise to colophony I believe, some sort of industrial asthma.
You really need fume extraction equipment for ordinary soldering so best of luck using the two together. I've used the two together many times but I'm a lot more careful these days.

And I've got a cough!

Jim

Boom · 29th Aug 2010, 3:25 pm

Thanks for the reply Jim. I actually meant dangers from leeching rather than fumes. It is a water purifier that I am playing with.

jay_oldstuff · 29th Aug 2010, 3:37 pm

Colophony is just another name for rosin, see this link for the health risks http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg249.pdf
I find the flux used in lead free solder far worse, if I'm using it at work I end up with a blinding headache after only half an hour or so.

Jay

DAVEHALL · 5th Sep 2010, 10:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4XWDJim

Ordinary multicored solder has resin flux which is very dangerous to inhale the fumes from giving rise to colophony I believe, some sort of industrial asthma.

Jim

Interesting - way back in the late 70's this question was posed by a work colleague at the fore runner of BT -where we used to do a lot of soldering on frames - and on kit ,and the fumes were quote choking . We never in those days got an official answer - is this now a recognised industrial disease ,as in a recent medical I got a surprised reaction from a doctor on my lung capacity -

dominicbeesley · 5th Sep 2010, 10:19 pm

Blimey...another thing to worry about! Especially all that soldering in a 4'x5' coal hole!

Dom

DAVEHALL · 5th Sep 2010, 11:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dominicbeesley

Blimey...another thing to worry about! Especially all that soldering in a 4'x5' coal hole!

Dom

And I've got a bit of a cough .

AlanBeckett · 5th Sep 2010, 11:44 pm

Errrrrr.
I've been soldering for about 55 years and I've always used 'Fux Cored' 60/40 solder.
I used to smoke but now I don't.
I've always leaned over the work 'cause I'm short sighted.
Am I doomed

Alan

Heatercathodeshort · 6th Sep 2010, 8:25 am

Well I must be writing this from another place...I spent over 40 years and still am in very close proximity to 60/40 solder and must have got through hundreds of reels of the stuff to say nothing of the post G8 period. Recent medical said I had the body of a 25 year old. Just wish I looked and felt like I was 25..Nothing anyone can do about it. Damage if any has been done. Get on with your lives. J.

woodchips · 6th Sep 2010, 9:54 am

Likewise with the 'too late now', but I did buy a cheap fan with HEPA filter from Argus, sit it behind what I am soldering, or desoldering, and it works a treat. Bob.

SeanStevens · 6th Sep 2010, 10:07 am

Life certainly will kill you!

I had asthma in the past, and have had episodes triggered by all sorts of particulates (dust, pollen, solder fumes etc). If you are susceptible to lung related illnesses any inhalation of particulates can be hazardous.

Saying this, lots of smokers make their 90's.

All one can do is avoid the obviously nasty stuff. If it makes you feel bad, stop doing it.

SEAN

29th Aug 2010, 2:08 pm	#1
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Flux dangers? I'm dabbling in a little project in which lead free solder must be used. Are there any alleged dangers associated with using Telux flux with non-lead solder or must I use a special flux?

29th Aug 2010, 3:04 pm	#2
G4XWDJim Octode Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Littlehampton, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,465	Re: Flux dangers? Telux flux is the sort of stuff plumbers use and I think relatively harmless given that you tend to be at more of a distance from it when plumbing than you are when sitting over your soldering iron. Ordinary multicored solder has resin flux which is very dangerous to inhale the fumes from giving rise to colophony I believe, some sort of industrial asthma. You really need fume extraction equipment for ordinary soldering so best of luck using the two together. I've used the two together many times but I'm a lot more careful these days. And I've got a cough! Jim

29th Aug 2010, 3:25 pm	#3
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: Flux dangers? Thanks for the reply Jim. I actually meant dangers from leeching rather than fumes. It is a water purifier that I am playing with.

29th Aug 2010, 3:37 pm	#4
jay_oldstuff Octode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hyde, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,074	Re: Flux dangers? Colophony is just another name for rosin, see this link for the health risks http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg249.pdf I find the flux used in lead free solder far worse, if I'm using it at work I end up with a blinding headache after only half an hour or so. Jay __________________ The light at the end of the tunnel is probably the headlight of an oncoming train

5th Sep 2010, 10:19 pm	#6
dominicbeesley Octode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Re: Flux dangers? Blimey...another thing to worry about! Especially all that soldering in a 4'x5' coal hole! Dom

5th Sep 2010, 11:44 pm	#8
AlanBeckett Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: Flux dangers? Errrrrr. I've been soldering for about 55 years and I've always used 'Fux Cored' 60/40 solder. I used to smoke but now I don't. I've always leaned over the work 'cause I'm short sighted. Am I doomed Alan

6th Sep 2010, 8:25 am	#9
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Flux dangers? Well I must be writing this from another place...I spent over 40 years and still am in very close proximity to 60/40 solder and must have got through hundreds of reels of the stuff to say nothing of the post G8 period. Recent medical said I had the body of a 25 year old. Just wish I looked and felt like I was 25..Nothing anyone can do about it. Damage if any has been done. Get on with your lives. J.

6th Sep 2010, 9:54 am	#10
woodchips Octode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 1,174	Re: Flux dangers? Likewise with the 'too late now', but I did buy a cheap fan with HEPA filter from Argus, sit it behind what I am soldering, or desoldering, and it works a treat. Bob.

6th Sep 2010, 10:07 am	#11
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Re: Flux dangers? Life certainly will kill you! I had asthma in the past, and have had episodes triggered by all sorts of particulates (dust, pollen, solder fumes etc). If you are susceptible to lung related illnesses any inhalation of particulates can be hazardous. Saying this, lots of smokers make their 90's. All one can do is avoid the obviously nasty stuff. If it makes you feel bad, stop doing it. SEAN __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't.