Hi,
Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> said:
On April 1, Stan Barr wrote:
I've been soldering now for around 45 years,
and I used to do a lot
of bullet casting so I've handled a *lot* of lead in my time.
I was taken ill a few years ago with some symptons that could be
remotely explained by heavy metal poisoning so I was thoroughly tested.
My lead levels were right on the average for someone living in an
urban environment. So if you're sensible I don't see a problem.
Don't eat sandwiches while you're soldering...and wash your hands when
you're done ;-) Lead in gasoline (petrol over here) was a bigger
problem.
What did those heavy metal teste involve, if you don't mind my
asking?
Blood tests mostly, I seem to remember (I was getting a lot of those!).
They were just precautionary because of my long-term contact with lead,
and occasionally mercury many years before.
Resin flux is a known carcinogen, so don't
breathe the fumes.
Oh, yuck, I didn't know that...I think I'll invest in one of those
filtered blowers.
It's not _very_ dangerous, more of a long-term risk, but enough to
be worth taking care...
--
Cheers,
Stan Barr stanb(a)dial.pipex.com
The future was never like this!