Hazzards of Rosin Based Solder Fumes

Rosin is used mainly as a flux in the electrical and electronics industries where it is heated with the solder (usually tin/lead) to make electrical connections. It may also be used for soldering in plumbing and other pipe-fitting work.

When inhaled, rosin-based solder flux fume can lead to occupational asthma or make existing asthmatic conditions worse. The fume can also cause irritation to the eyes and upper respiratory tract.

Rosin-based solder flux fume is now regarded as one of the most important causes of occupational asthma in Britain. When the asthmatic effects are fully developed they are permanent and irreversible.  Continued exposure, even to very small amounts of fume, may cause asthma attacks and the person affected may be unable to do any soldering with rosin-based fluxes again.

Please click on the link below to download a HSE leaflet on the hazzards of rosin-based solder fumes
Solder fume and you.pdf 

Controlling Solder Fume

There are various methods of controling solder fume in the workplace or teaching environment.  Active Energy Solutions can provide a wide range of solutions for the extraction of solder fumes to meet your requirements and budget including.

Benchtop Extraction Kits

AES supply benchtop extraction kits from a number of manufacturers.  These typically consist of an flexible extraction arm connected to a small filter unit mounted under the bench.  These kits are an economical solution where a small number of stations are required.

Ducted Systems

Where are large number of soldering stations are required it may be more economical to fit a ducted system with a central fan.  AES can design, supply and install a system that will allow multiple stations to be used simultaneously.

On Tip Extraction

An alternative solution to extraction arms is the use of on-tip extraction.  In this case the extraction is built in to the soldering iron and the harmful fumes are extracted at source.

• Benchtop extraction kits with integrated filter units.
• Ducted systems
• On tip extraction