Lead poisoning from solder

[CraigHB]

On the topic of soldering in atomizers and cartomizers, one thing I noticed on a few Clearomizers I bought (I don't normally use them) is a lot of flux left on the center post. They obviously don't clean them. Flux removal is something that is normally done after any electronics soldering, not just things you can be exposed to. For those who aren't aware, flux is a brown paste or thick liquid used to aid in the soldering process. It turns hard when exposed to the heat of soldering. The post on one of the Clearomizers was completely covered with it and all of them had some amount on there. I took the time to remove it before vaping with any of them. I'm more concerned about the flux residue than lead solder. Flux is fairly poisonous as well. Lead has to become quite hot before it will vaporize at all. Flux residue dissolves readily in e-liquid.

 

[MagnusEunson]

If the flux paste was still made with the old tin-lead allow it would've been enough to trigger a positive. They could be rosin based still being Chinese origin. vaping a newer metal based flux isn't much better though I suppose.

However, I didn't find any on any I tested. This were CE2s you found hardened flux on? -Magnus

 

[TomCatt]

Since that last thread of testing I check every so often and haven't found anything of concern. Most recently I was testing the Vapage Hybrid and the HH.357. Nothing in any nicquid I use (Vermillion River, Copper Creek, Alien Visions, Liberty Flights, Backwoods)... although lead is listed in ppb in certain "pure" nicotine extracts but not nearly enough to trigger even the sensitive tests given to me after that first exploration. And even then, versus analogs, the risk reduction is huge although likely present at some point in some form (and it's not clear it would transfer via vape anyway).

In the coming months I'll be releasing some data from a lab that got in touch with me as a result of that thread. They did all the heavy lifting and I only provided information on major vendors, components, history, nicquids, etc. And Flavourart is also doing testing of their flavorings BTW, which should be interesting too. Cheers, -Magnus

Excellent news Magnus! I'll add my THANKS to the others!

 

[CraigHB]

However, I didn't find any on any I tested. This were CE2s you found hardened flux on? -Magnus

This was on a batch of XL Clearomizers from a popular vendor not too long after they came out. May be something that has been resolved in later production runs. I wouldn't know because that was the only time I bought them. In any case, the Clearo posts were pretty nasty looking and as someone who solders a lot, I know exactly what flux vapors smell like, not pleasant and not healthful. You definitely want to avoid them. They always say you should use proper ventilation when soldering due to flux vapors so I would take that as a warning against residual flux in my juice.