Soldering around a wee babby (and introduction) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kungfoo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 04:52:33 pm
content: Hello all! Long-time follower, first-time poster.My name is kungfoo, and I'm (historically) a software engineer out in Silicon Valley who is very much enjoying the wave of bringing Silicon back to the Valley (as the VC slogan goes). Lately I've been doing satcom stuff, and dealing with the national-security clusterduck that is security in commercial space systems (I can link a couple of our papers, and some other recommended reading if anyone cares).Through some fault of my own, I am now in possession of a 4-month old infant, and I am somewhat paranoid about accidentally feeding the poor kiddo lead. I'm paranoid to the point where I'm considering switching to lead-free solder.At the moment, my protocol is:* Have a dedicated room in which the soldering happens, and don't allow the kiddo to eat the things in the poison room* Wash my hands thoroughly (as it happens, recent pandemics have given me a good bit of practice at that skill) after solderingHowever, I recently noticed that a small clipping with a dab of solder had stuck to the bottom of a board that I then brought into the on-call room. I found it, and threw it out, but I'm now somewhat worried about other such Klingons (::groan::...I know...I blame dad-dom).I am now considering adding the following to my protocols:* Only solder in a pair of coveralls that are removed afterwards and kept in the poison roomEven that, however, doesn't address the recently-exposed failure mode. Many online sources seem focused on exposure to flux vapor and ignore the lead contamination issue. Do any of the parents out there have any advice for a |\|008? Dave has kids, right?Thanks,Harrison

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 07:28:01 pm
content: First, welcome to the forum! As a first time father it may be easy to be over-paranoid but it can't hurt, right? I think the protocols you mentioned will make a huge impact in reducing lead exposure to your infant but unless you are soldering on an industrial scale at home, I can't see the exposure being that high. Many of us have done some minor soldering repairs and projects in basements, backyard sheds, shacks or garages... places where babies usually don't go and aren't allowed in. I don't think it's been a problem.If you keep stuff away from the kid, wash up after handling, use a cover-all/apron, change your slippers, soft-brush the board so "cling-ons" fall off on your bench.... I doubt you will bring much if any solder and lead back with you. There are many other things to worry about with a baby... the ones you least expect are what get you. I've had 3 kids and whatever has screwed them up certainly is not from the lead.......and the more you have the less you become paranoid.

author: kungfoo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 08:47:57 pm
content: Hey Edy,Thanks for the snappy reply, and words of wisdom. Collating that protocol, it becomes:* Throw a large towel over your head so you can't see anything frightening, and DON'T PANIC* Have a dedicated room in which the soldering happens, and don't allow the kiddo to eat the things in the poison room* Wash my hands thoroughly after soldering* Have a pair of poison-room shoes and coveralls for soldering* Use a soft brush on all boards before they leave the poison roomPresent circumstances do not permit that protocol because of the shoes. My current workbench is in a high foot-traffic area of the garage. I'll be moving soon, though, so I'll just switch to a lead-free solder as an interim solution, using the following items:*https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/796065/82-126-ND/2498924*https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/70-1709-0820/70-1709-0820-ND/7565305*https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/FS100-01/1691-1071-ND/6228827Looks like the Hakko 888 doesn't need a special lead-free tip, so I'll just switch to a new one and have leaded and unleaded tips.Thanks again,HarrisonPS: I was a bit disappointed that the are-you-human question during the registration for the forum didn't accept "42, the answer to life, the universe, and everything" as an answer. Ahh well. Plenty of dorky jokes still to be made.

author: indeterminatus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 10:52:04 pm
content: To first-born (2yr old): "Ah, go away, I'm soldering here, don't want you to breathe in the fumes!"Two years later, to second-born (2yr old): "Yeah right, come here. You can sit on my lap. Here, let's take the soldering iron together and do these caps real quick."Two years later, to third-born (2yr old): "Oh, you're soldering? Alright, just don't forget to turn the iron off when you're done."