[exmadscientist]

Soldering does not generate metal vapor. Soldering fumes are burnt flux residues, which are often acidic and quite nasty.

Laser cutting or engraving makes even worse fumes and requires seriously good filtering. I personally think they're nasty enough that it is irresponsible to just dump this stuff outside into the environment without cleanup but it's certainly better than breathing it.

[unshavedyak]

> Soldering does not generate metal vapor.

Seeing as a lot of solder is lead based i imagine this would be a huge safety concern if it did create lead vapor.

[fsckboy]

liquid lead has a vapor pressure (it was easy to google) but at what temperature or sustained duration it would be dangerous I don't have the background to assess. in terms of duration, heavy metal poisonings are cumulative over time.

[Our_Benefactors]

Why does laser cutting or engraving make fumes? Please educate me. I would have assumed cutting wood was a relatively harmless process.

[driverdan]

It burns the material it cuts.

[Our_Benefactors]

Oh right. Duh

[fsckboy]

back when I was a young electronics hobbyist, back in the days when there was still lead in solder, man I loved the smell of flux burning off! I've never noticed any ill effects, but there is still time for me to get emphysema or lung cancer.