Why are torch guns or heat guns above 1100F prohibited?

Torch guns or heat guns that exceed 1100°F are prohibited primarily because they create lead fumes. When lead is heated to high temperatures, it can vaporize and form toxic fumes that pose significant health risks to anyone in the vicinity. Exposure to lead fumes can lead to serious health issues, including neurological damage and other systemic effects.

The generation of lead fumes during the heating process emphasizes the importance of using safe methods of lead abatement. As such, tools that operate at lower temperatures or do not produce fumes are preferred in lead abatement practices, allowing for safer working conditions and minimizing the risk of lead exposure.

Other choices do not address the specific health risks associated with the temperature and the materials being used. While factors such as cost and weight may be relevant to tool selection in other contexts, the primary concern in lead abatement is the potential danger posed by lead fumes.