Lead Free and the Environment

Although lead, when inhaled or ingested, is certainly toxic, many questions have been raised regarding the lack of evidence that lead in electronics represents an environmental or human health concern. The following studies, papers and presentation attempt to assess the environmental and human health issues surrounding tin lead solder and lead free solders in electronics.

• Lead Use in Electronics (.pdf),
• University of Stuttgart Life Cycle Assessment (.pdf), presented by Niels Warburg at IPC APEX 2003, translated by Peter Roth, Bosch.
• EPA Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Free Solder
• Environmental Impacts and Toxicity of Lead Free Solders (.pdf), Edwin B. Smith III, KTEC Electronics
• Eco-Labeling