Pipe organs and government regulations

[Dana Rabenberg]

Good evening, friends,

I've got a question. Background: a couple of years ago, a friend of mine emailed me an article that said that the pipe organ is running afoul of environmental regulations in parts of Europe, principally (pardon the unintentional pun!) because of the lead alloys in the metal pipes. I wondered about the credibility and veracity of the article at the time, but I didn't pursue verifying it. Instead, I more or less forgot about it until today. So, I'm putting up this post, primarily for our friends in Europe, but of course welcoming responses from anyone who might have some insight into this. Is there any truth to the assertion? Are pipe organs transgressing environmental regulations?

Thanks, and "Happy New Year," Everyone!

DR

[arie v]

Hi DR,

Lead is lead, whether it is in pencils or organ pipes. So because of that it did run afoul of the new legislation regarding hazardous materials, and the disposal thereof.

Initially, lead in organ pipes was a no-no. But there was a great hue and cry about this from organbuilders and organ-lovers, and they took their case to the bureaucrats in Brussels. They told them that not only could they not build their organs to the same quality anymore, they could not even restore older organs, without throwing the old pipes. They also convinced these wise guys that organ pipes, if done right lasted longer than your typical i-pod. One last thing, they also persuaded these same folks that organbuilders did not as a habit, eat, drink or snort pipe lead, and that organbuilders after all generally lived a normal lifespan.

So, eventually at least organ pipes were exempted from the legislation. Everybody is now happy again, the universe is unfolding as it should.

However, I understand any electronics in pipe organs is still subject to the legislation. Electronic organs, of course, are subject to the legislation.

Arie V

[davidecasteel]

OK, how does one make solder without lead? Some solder has more tin than lead, but I thought all solder had some lead.

David

[arie v]

David,

In the EU only solder with no hazardous substances are now allowed. I think at least some of the new solder has a lot of silver in it.

The big problem is no one is sure how good this new solder is for the longterm. The new solder depends on higher temps to flow, does not bond as well which results in increased cold solder connections, and has a habit of crystalizing, meaning it grows micro-whiskers potentially causing shorts. But then modern electronics by and large are not expected to last terribly long.

The other thing too, all components, ICs, wire, circuit boards, have to be certified in compliance with the RoHs legislation. In other words a big paper trail which is subject to inspection by EU authorities.

I guess in 10 or 15 years time we will know more about how good all this new stuff is. Maybe by then most of today's production or digi wonder toys will be in the landfill.

AV

[odellorgans]

All pipe and non-pipe builders are phasing in RoHS compliance for solid state components, with the obvious and requisite exception of pipe shops (and organbuilders who have their own pipe shops) where lead must be used for casting of pipe metal and pipe solder. *Both AIO/APOBA and ISO have successfully lobbied with government agencies for the applicable exceptions needed for organ building.

Despite exposure to lead fumes, I have known pipemakers and voicers who have their blood regularly screened for lead and it is always found to be well below the "safe" threshold.*

*

[Havoc]

There are so many lead-less solders that it is becoming a nightmare to track them all. Most however are composed of Tin-Silver-Copper, the SAC alloys. Jury is indeed still out on long-term reliability and therefore industries like medical, telecom, military and space are excused and can use lead in their solder.*Problem*is*that*lots*of*stuff*these*days*i s*COS*(common-of-the-shelf)*material.*And*then*some*components*are*only *available*lead-free,*others*not;*This*gives*a*mix*of*components*l eading*to*another*can*of*worms.

Oh, and it isn't only Europe that demands lead-free.*For*Japan*you*even*need*certificates*of*what *is*in*the*plastic*case*around*your*components.* It would be closer to say that only the US still accepts lead-based gear.

[j reimer]

If you want to see a disturbing website on the problems of lead-free electronic devices, go to www.dbicorporation.com/rohsbib.htm

Here is a new argument for the anti-electronic organ lobby (of which I am not a member, although I must admit I have yet to hear an electronic organ which inspires me in the way a good pipe organ does). Only time will tell, if electronic devices made under the new directives have a long-term future.

John Reimer

[Havoc]

Very disturbing site...because a lot of unsubstantiated claims.

[nullogik]

Being a European (!), I can reveal as far as I know that pipe organs are now exempt from these regulations you talk about.

I don't have the necessary knowledge on pipe organs to explain the reasons for this happening so I'll link you all to this interesting article which should shed some light on the situation:

http://www.rscm.com/info_resources/f...pipeorgans.php

[davidecasteel]

I enjoy reloading pistol ammunition as a hobby, which puts me into frequent contact with lead bullets. I shoot in an indoor range with marginal ventilation. Only once did I ever register an elevated blood lead level, and I modified some of my habits about washing my hands after reloading and never eating in those leaded environments, with the result that my lead levels immediately plummeted to quite satisfactory values. Ergo, I am of the impression that elevated blood lead levels have less to do with the amount of lead in the environment than with the cleanliness habits of the person.

I have no quarrel with attempting to make work environments and home equipment as safe as possible, but I do think that a lot of governments go way overboard in their quest to do this. I don't live in Europe--what epidemic of medical problems associated with the use of lead-bearing solder suddenly surfaced to make these Draconian measures necessary? Are children over there teething on loose circuit boards? What alternative methods and procedures were tried first to reduce contamination and lead absorption?

(The "ball" has just dropped in New York City--it is 2008 there.)

As anal as our EPA and OSHA are here in the US, I find it hard to believe that we are not subject to the same insane regulations that seem to exist in Europe. Maybe we know something they don't?

David