The dynamic, high-growth nature of the electronics industry requires that manufacturers achieve higher standards of quality and efficiency in production to maintain a competitive edge. Though sometimes overlooked, a critical need in attaining a high level of manufacturing productivity is the creation of a comfortable, pleasant work environment with worker health and safety as a top priority.
Health and safety in the workplace is an increasingly visible issue in both government and private industry. Occupational health and safety regulations are being enforced more strictly than ever before, and the costs of absenteeism, worker’s compensation and personal injury litigation provide ample motivation for companies to protect their workers from work-related illnesses.
One of the more widely recognized health hazards in the electronics production, repair and rework environment is exposure to solder flux fumes. Solder wire and solder paste contain flux, which promotes wetting during reflow and, due to its acid content, also works to remove any built-up oxides on the surfaces to be joined. The flux is normally rosin-based, and is derived from resin contained in pine trees. When heated, the flux gives off a fume known as colophony, which is a complex mix of gases and particulates. Typically, the particulates constitute about 95% of the fume volume, while the remaining 5% consists of vapors that include Acetone, Methyl Alcohol, Formaldehyde, Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Diterpine Acid, Carbon Monoxide, and Isopropyl Alcohol. Non-rosin fluxes, such as synthetics and no-cleans, which are made up mostly of acids, have been found to be extremely irritating as well.
In the case of colophony, the airborne particulates that are inhaled can damage lung tissue, and even in cases of limited exposure to the fumes, workers have contracted occupational asthma, ‘a permanently debilitating disease’ (Source: The Center for Disease Control). The impairment of the lung function is especially threatening to the health of people with chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
