respirator mask instead of fume extractor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Buddy Casino
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 09:32:20 am
content: I don't solder very often, so I'm not sure buying a fume extractor is actually worth it. I have a respirator mask at home (this is the model, didn't find a US equivalent:https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00EJIMZT8/), and thought why not use that instead?Has anyone tried this? Why is it a good/bad idea?

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 10:03:45 am
content: It will be hot and uncomfortable. I just use a fan I got for free.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 11:37:31 am
content: That link spiked a threat detection on my antivirus. Says it was infected with URL:PhishingOn the question of the mask - it really is overkill. A simple draft taking the smoke away from you is all you need.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 12:13:04 pm
content: If you don't solder, I don't see the problem anyway?Going outside and breathing air in London city is worse than that.Btw pushing air is easier than sucking air.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 03:37:07 pm
content: Quote from: Brumby on July 23, 2018, 11:37:31 amYour antivirus is wrong. That’s a standard amazon Germany link.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 03:42:40 pm
content: It must have been something on the page when it loaded before. I just tried it again, and there was no problem.

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 10:42:25 pm
content: I use a 3M 6391/07003(AAD) P100 respirator under a welding mask (it's a fairly slim model) for flux-core welding outside in a sheltered area. I can't even smell the smoke from it until I take the respirator off, so I think it would be quite effective for soldering flux fumes.On the other hand, if you can limit when you solder to times that you can open the windows and use any sort of fan to prevent it from rising right up in your face, the risk is probably minimal.

author: cprosser
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2018, 03:39:16 am
content: Yeah, when welding I use a 3M N100 particulate filter. But thats when tig welding stainless which has some nasties in it. For the small amount of soldering I do (with leaded solder) I open the sliding door by my workbench and hold my breath.But I wouldn’t hesitate to grab my respirator if I feel like it. You’ll want an N95 or N100 for soldering. Make sure it fits well, and don’t bother if you have a beard.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2018, 05:44:17 am
content: Quote from: Buddy Casino on July 23, 2018, 09:32:20 amThen quit worrying about it.As another poster said, the air in your city is probably almost as bad and you probably don't walk around wearing a gas mask when you need to stroll to the shops.Just blow the flux smoke away as you go, open a window if they really annoy you, but for occasional soldering unless they trigger an allergy/asthma for you, it's just not an issue.If you are soldering a lot, often, then a fume extractor is recommended.Since you have only 2 posts, I will address the misconception that people sometimes have that drives fear of soldering - an extractor, or mask in your case, is not about lead content, you are not vaporising lead, the smoke is not lead, you are not taking on any appreciable level of lead from occasional handling of solder, the smoke from soldering is from the flux, which is mostly rosin (colophony), which is derived from resin from trees.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2018, 10:50:13 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on July 25, 2018, 05:44:17 amIn general it surprises me that people don't seem to have a sense of context anymore.It's either black or white. Heavy prevention needs to take care of "or it will kill you".I even had an intern who insisted to use lead free solder.To me it's a strange thought, in the old days it was all we had.No one really was bothered about it, unless you were doing production or something.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2018, 10:59:18 am
content: Quote from: b_force on July 25, 2018, 10:50:13 amNot caring about something too much in the past isn't really a great indicator whether it's actually harmful or not.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2018, 11:47:43 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on July 25, 2018, 10:59:18 amIn absolute sense I completely agree with you.But when putting things in perspective, there is a little bit of truth in it sometimes.People can create solutions for non-existing problems, so to speak.Or make problems bigger than they really are in practice.For the record, I am NOT saying that is ALWAYS the case (a lot of times it's actually better).But in general people seem to loose some to forget to put things in perspective.With not caring to much in this case, I meant that most people weren't effected by it (unless you're sitting in it for 8 hours a day and 5 days a week)

author: cprosser
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2018, 10:14:01 pm
content: Just to throw fuel on the fire, for adults lead isn't a super big deal. But each better designed study that comes out looking at lead exposure in children has lowered the amount of lead thought to impact a developing nervous system. There's an open question if _any_ measurable amount of lead is safe for a developing nervous system (when looked at a population level):https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/acclpp/blood_lead_levels.htm.That said, I'm going to quote my toxicology professor "The dose makes the poison". I blow the smoke away and wash my hands after soldering. I have no children in the house, only adult pets and humans.