Toxics Watch Group Draws Attention to Lead Solder Fumes from Cell Phone Repair Shops
https://www.slideshare.net/SentryAirSystems/hazards-of-solder-fume-fume-extraction-equipment-recommendations-8461581
A waste and pollution watch group today called attention
to the use of lead solder wire by cell phone repair shops and the ensuing
hazardous fumes that can be inhaled by technicians, their customers and
passersby.
The EcoWaste Coalition pressed for the observance of
safety precautions, including the use of lead-free solder, following the recent
signing by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of Republic Act 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health
Standards Act.
"While we do appreciate their role in reducing
e-waste by prolonging the life of e-gadgets, we are concerned that lead solder
fumes are exposing repair technicians to hazardous emissions that can harm
their health and those of others, including customers who are often seen
watching, sometimes in the company of young children, while their phones are
being fixed," said Primo Morillo, E-Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
The inhalation of lead solder fumes and the ingestion of
lead from a contaminated surface are potential exposure routes, the EcoWaste
Coalition emphasized.
"It's very important that air pollution from
soldering activities, especially in an enclosed space, is appropriately
addressed," added Morillo who also noted the country's phase-out of leaded
gasoline in 2000 to cut lead particulates in airborne emissions from cars.
"We wish the authorities can assist in training
repair technicians to be more health conscious and to take safety precautions
to heart,” he added.
In line with R.A. 11058, the group urged the Department
of Labor and Employment through the Occupational Safety and Health Center to
conduct training programs in collaboration with shopping mall management that
will train cell phone repair technicians on safe soldering work practices.
The group made the proposal after learning about the
widespread use of lead solder by technicians in cell phone repair shops that
are often located inside shopping malls.
Based on information gathered from cell phone repair
technicians, the group obtained six samples of soldering alloys from electronic
supplies stores that are commonly used
in cell phone repair.
All six samples of solder wire had lead in the range of
4.62 to 67.15 percent as per X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) chemical analysis. None of the samples provided safety
information about the usage of lead-based solder.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), “a person who is exposed to lead over time may feel abdominal
pain, constipated, depressed, distracted, forgetful, irritable, and nauseous or
sick.” It warned that “people with prolonged exposure to lead may also be at
risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and reduced
fertility.”
To prevent and reduce occupational lead exposure,
especially for technicians engaged in the repair of cell phones and other
e-gadgets, the EcoWaste Coalition echoed the following general safety
precautions from published “Lead Soldering Safety Guidelines”:
“Avoid skin burns and never touch the tip/element of a
soldering iron.”
“Avoid inhalation of lead soldering fumes. Work in a well ventilated area or use local
exhaust ventilation.”
“Avoid ingestion of lead due to surface contamination by
keeping soldering areas clean and properly managing lead soldering waste.”
“Personnel should not eat or drink in soldering areas and
should wash hands after completing soldering work.”
“Use lead-free (preferable) or low lead solder whenever
possible.”
"Use necessary personal protective equipment."
-end-
Reference:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html
http://ehs.whoi.edu/ehs/occsafety/LeadSafety.pdf
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