{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000047","name":"Hobby solder wire (lead-free, rosin core)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"hobby electronics","tags":["solder","lead-free","rosin flux","colophony","electronics"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Lead-free solder wire (typically Sn96.5/Ag3.0/Cu0.5 or Sn99.3/Cu0.7) with rosin (colophony) flux core for electronics hobbyists and DIY electronics. Rosin flux generates irritating fumes when heated — colophony is a potent occupational allergen causing occupational asthma in electronics assembly workers. Tin fume exposure occurs at soldering temperatures. Lead-free alloys require higher temperatures (~217-227C) than leaded solder (~183C), increasing fume generation. Despite 'lead-free' designation, silver-containing alloys release silver fume, and all soldering generates ultrafine metal oxide particles.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"adult (hobbyist/maker)","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Colophony-induced occupational asthma: rosin flux fumes are a potent respiratory sensitizer","Metal fume exposure: tin and copper oxide fumes at soldering temperature","Higher fume generation with lead-free solder (higher melting point)"],"exposure_routes":"inhalation (primary)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_incidental"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"acute_to_chronic","frequency":"periodic_to_frequent","scenarios":["Rosin flux fume inhalation during soldering","Metal fume inhalation (tin, silver, copper oxides)","Burn injury from molten solder or hot iron","Eye irritation from fumes"],"notes":"Fume exposure is highest within 6-12 inches of soldering point. Fume extraction or ventilation is critical. Hobbyists typically lack the fume extraction equipment used in industrial settings."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Soldering without fume extraction or ventilation","meaning":"Direct rosin flux fume inhalation — respiratory sensitization risk","action":"Use desktop fume extractor (with activated carbon filter) or solder near open window with fan"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"No-clean or water-soluble flux (non-colophony)","meaning":"Reduced respiratory sensitization risk vs. rosin flux","verification":"Check solder wire labeling for flux type"}],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"No-clean flux solder","notes":"Reduced fume compared to rosin-core; less sensitizing; adequate for most hobby electronics"},{"name":"Desktop fume extractor","notes":"Activated carbon fan unit; removes fumes from breathing zone; essential accessory for regular hobbyists"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU","citation":null,"requirements":"Lead content restricted to <0.1% in electronics solder. Lead-free solder required.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2006","enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["Alloy composition","Flux type"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":"Solder wire as article generally does not require GHS labeling"},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Regular waste for small quantities","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"5-10_years"},"formulation":{"form":"solid_wire","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":null,"name":"Tin (Sn)","role":"base_metal","concentration_pct":"95-99"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Silver (Ag)","role":"alloy_component","concentration_pct":"0-3.5"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Copper (Cu)","role":"alloy_component","concentration_pct":"0.5-0.7"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000568","name":"Colophony (rosin) flux core","role":"flux","concentration_pct":"2-3"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000568","compound_name":"Colophony (rosin flux)","role":"flux","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["solder wire","lead-free solder","rosin core solder","electronics solder"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU","jurisdiction":"EU","year":2006,"id":"src_f3808d79"},{"id":"colophony_occ_asthma","type":"regulatory","title":"Colophony Rosin Abietic Acid Dehydroabietic Acid Diterpene Resin Acids; Soldering Flux Fume Occupational Asthma UK HSE Leading Cause; UK WEL 0.05 mg/m3 Rosin Acid; IgE Sensitization Electronics Latency Weeks to Years; Patch Test Contact Dermatitis Skin Sens 1 H317; Gum Rosin Tall Oil Kraft Pulp Resin Acid Fish Toxicity; IARC Not Evaluated; Medical Adhesive Tape Plaster Cosmetic Exposure","year":2020,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000568"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:24:28.464Z"}}