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am well aware that leaded solder still has some niche applications, but the comment i replied to called lead-free a "clusterfuck" without any regard for the huge public health benefits.

i hope you agree it's good that e-waste isn't toxic.

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E-waste is still toxic, now you have to ask yourself if increasing e-waste due to poorly-performing circuits and electromigration (look it up) is worth making some parts of it less toxic. I don't have the answer, but you don't either.

Lead free solder was responsible for the Xbox 360 red ring of death.

Millions of units of e-waste.

Hardly a niche problem.

More recent studies have shown that all lead free solders will eventually develop tin whispers and fail.

For devices with a 2 or 3 year lifespan (e.g. cellphones), sure, fine, whatever.

For electronics that should last a long time, e.g. washing machines, dishwashers, thermostats, ovens, microwaves, lead free ensures e-waste.

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