Confused. Is this solder o.k.?

[Hdflhx]

I did a lot of reading before I started my boka build. Everything that I read said to use lead free solder and to make sure that it doesn't contain cadmium or antimony as these are potentially harmful.

So, I see some lead free solder at lowe's and check the manufacturer's site and MSDS. I think good no cadmium or antimony and pick some up and solder the plates, thermo tube, and take-off tube for my boka in.

I was doing some more reading here and come across a post mentioning Selenium as potentially harmful. I check the MSDS again and sure enough, the Lenox lead free solder has Selenium in it.

The solder that I bought was a 1oz package of this product here--http://www.lenoxtools.com/pages/Product ... FreeSolder

and here is the MSDS----http://www.lenoxtools.com/MSDS%20Docume ... /ML041.pdf

So what's the verdict on Selenium?
What do you guys recommend? Should I clean up all the solder that I used and find something else?
Thanks for any advice.

[MuleKicker]

Selenium salts are toxic in large amounts, but trace amounts of the element are necessary for cellular function in most, if not all, animals, forming the active center of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase (which indirectly reduce certain oxidized molecules in animals and some plants) and three known deiodinase enzymes (which convert one thyroid hormone to another). Selenium requirements in plants differ by species, with some plants, it seems, requiring none

Pulled that from wiki. One would assume that if it is ok in water pipes, it would be ok. But water pipes are not hot ethanol vapor.

Here is also something to ponder:

Abstract : The effects of supplementation of selenium at a dose of 10 μg/
kg body weight were investigated on ethanol induced testicular toxicity
in rats. In the present study, four groups of male albino rats were
maintained for 60 days, as follows : (1) Control group (normal diet) (2)
Ethanol group (4g/kg body weight) (3) Selenium (10 μg/kg body weight)
(4) Ethanol + Selenium (4g/kg body weight + 10 μg/kg body weight). Results
revealed that ethanol intake caused drastic changes in the sperm count,
sperm motility and sperm morphology. It also reduced the levels of
testosterone and fructose. The activities of 3βHSD, 17βHSD in the testis
and SDH in the seminal plasma were also reduced. Lipid peroxidation
was also enhanced as the lipid peroxidation products were increased and
the activities of the scavenging enzymes were reduced. But on
coadministration of selenium along with alcohol all the biochemical
parameters were altered to near normal levels indicating a protective
effect of selenium. These results were reinforced by the histopathological
s t u d i e s .

What I get from this is that alcohol blocked the selenium uptake in the rats?

[Hdflhx]

MuleKicker, thanks for your input.

I guess the real quetion then would be how do we know how much selenium intake is too much? The MSDS states that the selenium amount in the solder by weight percent is 0.05%. Probably nothing to worry about.

I did find some Oatey safe flo silver solder that has tin, copper, silver, and bismuth that I am thinking about re-doing my column with just to be safe though. The problem will be cleaning the solder out of the inside of the column lol.

[squidd]

Hdflhx,

FWIW,

1. I've used both of the solders that you mention, and am comfortable with them.
2. I take a 200 mcg tablet of Selenium daily, to help prevent a prostate cancer recurrence.
(13 year survivor)

Cheers,
squidd

[MuleKicker]

Isnt the stuff you take something like "selenium bisulfate" or something like that.(might all be the same, i dont know) My wife is a Cancer nurse and I was talking bout that with her the other night, while i was posting on it. She said something like that, cant remeber exactly.....She's sleepin now, and I aint gonna wake her.

[squidd]

Never thought to look at the fine print before.

It says "sodium selenite".

squidd

[MuleKicker]

I know they add to an element/medicine (im not a f-ing doctor ) to make it digestable by the body. I wonder Is that Sodium Selenite a digestable version of selenium? 200 Micro grams, that is a very small amount. .2 milligrams. whoa.

wiki:

Sodium selenite is a salt, a colourless solid, and the most common water-soluble selenium compound.

[squidd]

[quote="MuleKicker"] ....200 Micro grams, that is a very small amount. .2 milligrams. whoa. ...

[quote]

Small dose indeed.
Recommended dose for adults, on the label, one tablet daily.

Antioxidant.

squidd

[Hdflhx]

squidd, thanks for your input. I doubt that as little selenium that is in the solder that it would be fine to use. If any at all leeched out into the spirits, it would probably be minimal. I am going to err on the side of caution and go on and clean the solder off the column and re-solder with the Oatey safe flo silver solder that has tin, copper, silver, and bismuth.

I'm just trying to figure out the best way to clean the solder on the inside of the pipe

[todd54]

Thanks I found discussion very interesting, truly food for taught. I intend to research this line of taught. Here I use AQUASOL all the plumbers use it, for potable water plumbing or plastic which is cheap simple and fast to install during construction.

[Johnathan]

Selenium is a trace element that we need in small quantities. Without it the risk of cancer rises. It is present in Brazil nuts. I eat two or three a day for this reason. Western European soils are Selenium deficient. I sure as hell am not going to worry about minute traces of Selenium leaching from solder.