[m-ee]

Never verified but I was always told the fumes from lead free are more noxious than the leaded counterparts, maybe because of the higher temp requirements. Should be using a fume extractor regardless but I’ve always been more conscious of it when working with lead free.

[willis936]

I agree with the conclusion: always use a fume extractor with flux regardless of the type. They're a cheap insurance policy. For what you pay to insure your car for two weeks you could insure your lungs for all soldering.

[jazzyjackson]

"you can wash your hands but you can't wash your lungs"

I've also heard the folk wisdom that the leadfree fumes are worse for you, targeted instead at automated high-volume RoHS compliant factories than the hobbyist hunched over his protoboard but wouldn't know how to find out if one if more harmful than another.

[gnopgnip]

Fumes from leaded solder, rosin, flux, are on the order of 100x more harmful than lead free

[snvzz]

Is the lead even in the fumes? The temp it evaporates at is much higher.

I understand "lead-free" fumes are actually worse, but you should avoid all fumes regardless.

[gnopgnip]

>I understand "lead-free" fumes are actually worse, but you should avoid all fumes regardless.

Read the SDS for any rosin available leaded and lead free. Lead free will have P260, leaded will have P261, a significantly higher risk. And P302 vs P301, and other additional risks.

[JohnFen]

There isn't lead in the fumes. The risk of lead exposure is all about touching the solder.

[gnopgnip]

Similar to lead paint, lead exposure is from lead dust primarily. Soldering produces lead dust, and it is relatively difficult to prevent further contamination

Lead free rosin is less dangerous than leaded rosin, check the SDS data sheets

[snvzz]

Yup. That's what I understand too.

[jazzyjackson]

Can you provide citation? Leadfree also requires rosin and flux, no?