Soldering flux causing occupational dermatitis among workers in printed board circuits in the electronics industry

ABSTRACT

Although many irritants and allergens proved to cause occupational contact dermatitis in the electronics industry, soldering flux was seldom mentioned. Aminoethylethanolamine which is a constituent of some fluxes is a sensitizer.Dermatitis tends to start over the periungual area and spread to the finger shafts and sometimes the wrists. The use of cotton gloves by workers augmented the problem because it tends to soak up the flux and thus to prolong contact. Prophylactic measures are essential to prevent occupational contact dermatitis in workers handling flux in the electronics industry