Solderers, e.g. in electronics - common causes of asthma
Rosin based solder flux fume is caused when soldering. This fume is a top cause of occupational asthma.
It affects workers in the electronics and assembly industries.
See COSHH Essentials for detailed advice on control.
Top tips
- Do you have to use flux containing rosin? There are other fluxing agents available
- Never over-heat the soldering iron
- Use fume extraction
- Keep your head out of the plume of solder fume
- You need regular health surveillance
Reduce disease - reduce exposure to rosin based solder flux fume
Fume extraction - a soldering booth is best. On-tip extraction blocks up swiftly and needs frequent cleaning. Bench-mounted boxes are useless unless fitted with a HEPA filter.
Maintain the fume extraction system regularly.
You can find more guidance and information on the Asthma publications pages.

