Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] Re: [DCHAS-L] Lead-Based Soldering

Hi Monona, 

Thanks for the suggestions. Just to clarify, this is for an academic institution based in the United States, not Brazil. But I do believe what you are saying will apply to our situation. The instructor of the course has been soldering for some time and is part of the School of Engineering so I believe he would have some background already. 

On Mon, Oct 26, 2026 at 1:33 PM Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**lists.princeton.edu> wrote:

Filberto,   It looks like you have a lot of work to do.  I would approach it as follows:

1.  Train the instructor and the students about: a) the formation of lead and other metal fumes (tiny metal oxide particles in the respirable range) that begin going airborne as soon as the solder melts; b) the generation of both fumes and organic vapors from the various fluxes that are used; and c) how to obtain and use the Globably Harmonized System (GHS) safety data sheets (SDSs) on both the solders and fluxes which warn about these issues.*

2.  Borrow an Engineer instructor from your school's Engineering Department to help evaluate the many local exhaust soldering station ventilation systems that are on the market today.  I suggest purchasing one of the types that exhausts the fumes and vapors to the outside.  In case that is impossible in your lab, some of the HEPA-filtered and charcoal filter varieties will provide sufficient capture.  Read the manuals and change the filters as directed.

3.   Review with the instructor and students the workplace use of lead-containing products in Brazil.  The students in particular should know about this law which, like ours in the US, requires air monitoring of exposures and a risk assessment.   Understanding the laws that apply to the use of chemical products, even if they don't apply to some laboratory uses, is an important part of a degree program in Chemistry.

 

*  AI sayeth:   SDSs are required for workplace chemical products in Brazil, as they must be classified and labeled according to GHS criteria under NR-26. The SDS must be provided in Brazilian Portuguese and include standard sections consistent with the product's classification.

Understanding the requirements for SDS in Brazil is crucial.

• GHS Compliance — Workplace chemical products must comply with GHS criteria as mandated by Ordinance No. 26 since 2009.
• Language Requirement — SDSs must be provided in Brazilian Portuguese to ensure accessibility for workers.
• Mandatory Updates — Companies are required to update their SDSs and labels by July 4, 2025, to align with the new ABNT NBR 14725:2023 standard.
• Optional QR Codes — Labels may include QR codes for easy access to the SDS, although this is currently optional.

Monona 

M.Rossol, President, Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety,

On Friday, October 23, 2026 at 01:34:34 PM EDT, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> wrote:

Good Morning, 

I wanted to ask the listserv for assistance with a topic that was recently brought to my attention at my institution. I recently discovered that we have a lab that has in the past performed tin/lead soldering with traditional flux and our University Lab Safety and Biosafety Committee asked that they switch to non-lead-based soldering for safety concerns. The instructor of the course has let me know that he has in the past built in a safety procedure to have students wash their hands following lead-based soldering to prevent potential exposure. There is a snorkel in the room which can be used for ventilation purposes but the working space is limited for the number of students in the class. Since switching to non-lead based soldering, the instructor has reported issues with the fumes generated from the flux to the point that students have stopped their work and/or soldering was completely removed for the day. Given the tradeoffs with either side, how has your institution handled the topic of soldering? What safety requirements are implemented when it comes to lead-based soldering? Thank you!

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Best,

Filiberto Palacios, MPH, CPH  |  Laboratory and Research Safety Officer
Division of Academic Affairs, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University PO Box 7000, Azusa, CA 91702-7000
(626) 815-6000 - Ext. 6072  |  apu.edu

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

--

Best,

Filiberto Palacios, MPH, CPH  |  Laboratory and Research Safety Officer
Division of Academic Affairs, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University PO Box 7000, Azusa, CA 91702-7000
(626) 815-6000 - Ext. 6072  |  apu.edu

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org