JGBOYLES wrote:
Henry wrote:

In my production engineering job I would routinely hold
my breath and stick my head in over the solder wave in the
wave solder machine.


Hi Henry, that was not the best idea in the world, but I have been soldering
for over 40 years, and have never experienced any health symptoms like you
describe. I solder a lot, both at work and at home as a ham. I'm 57 and never
had health problems. I think you should look for other sources for your
apparent health problems.

Henry, your ventilation on the wave solder machine is all wrong! If you
need to look into it, therre is no way that the vent air pull should be
past your face. That thing should have a side plenum vent. the fouled
air will then not make it to you when you look in it.




As has been stated, the fumes are from the flux, and I have inhaled a bunch
of it:-). The lead portion can only hurt you if it is ingested, not sniffed.
I am sorry you had health problems, but it may not be for the reason you

If rosin based fumes are bad for you, than I get a double whammy, since
I make telescopes too, and the polishing laps are made out of pine
pitch. Between that and the soldering rosin, my garage always smells
like pine. Yummy!

- Mike -