[anteccomp]

Is there any way of telling if solder on copper pipes contains lead without actually testing the material in a lab? I found a "PRO-LAB Lead Test Kit" on the web and I was wondering if anyone has tried these? Thanks!

[hkstroud]

I doubt it. All solder has lead in it. The standard to day is 95/5. Ninety five per cent tin, five percent lead. Solder use in the past was 50/50. The 95/5 is a little shiner than the 50/50 but I don't think most people could distinguish the difference.

Why do you ask?

Opinion, the hazard of lead in water is over stated. Romans went senile because lead was used as a sweetener in their drinks and food, not because lead water pipes were used.

[KISS]

Hk:

Have to disagree. Lead was ELIMINATED entirely for plumbing and for nearly all electrical soldering per the ROHS directive.

Here is a list of various formulations: Solder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In fact, you can buy various alloys of Indium as solder. Indium is a metal that will melt in your hand. http://blogs.indium.com/blog/indalloy

95/5 is a tin antimony alloy and is the current solder used for potable water systems. No lead at all.

[speedball1]

I agree with KISS. 95/5 is the solder used at the present, This contains no lead, From the 60's t0 my retirement in 1989 we used 50/50 solder in all of the hundreds of single family dwellings and condos that I've water piped. We have yet to hear our first case of cancer or lead poisoning.
Regards, Tom

[hkstroud]

OK, I guess I assumed the 5% was lead, have to check that out.
If KISS and Tom say I was wrong, I must be wrong.