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Asthma caused by colophony is a debilitating and upsetting complaint for those who suffer from it and, although it may not be life-threatening it can exacerbate other conditions. If it has developed as a result of employment, victims may be eligible for a work-related illness compensation payment.
Asthma is a term covering respiratory problems relating to constriction of the airways in the lungs which make breathing more difficult and painful. It has a wide variety of causes, not all of which are fully understood, although many are genetic, but susceptibility and severity of symptoms can vary throughout a sufferer's life.
Triggers for an asthma attack are varied, too, but once a sufferer has discovered what usually leads to a breathing problem and can avoid it or treat it quickly then they are less likely to suffer harm.
Someone who has not previously been affected by asthma may find it develops because of certain conditions in their workplace, where there may be dangerous fumes, dust or other particles which are identified as respiratory sensitisers.
The industry in which most victims of asthma caused by colophony are likely to work is electronics assembly, where a substance derived from pine resin is often a component of soldering flux and workers are exposed to the fumes created by applying hot solder to joints.
Electronic circuit boards have been the vital internal workings for many electronics items manufactured since the Second World War and, although many of the processes have been automated for mass production, in small factories and for prototypes or short-run applications hand-soldering is still used.
It has been estimated by researchers that between 5% and 20% of workers who regularly use colophony-based solder flux are at risk of developing occupational asthma and similar complaints. Once sensitised, they are then likely to be vulnerable to breathing difficulties from other triggers such as pollen.
Employers can reduce the hazards for workers by using air extraction around the soldering area, issuing protective breathing equipment and changing the solder to one without colophony.
Unfortunately, colophony-free flux is not suitable for all uses and even where it is available there may be instances of other harmful fumes being released by the soldering process.
With the electronics consumer industry having become so important both as an employment sector and as a provider of essential goods, there is likely to be a continuing demand for workers who have skills in assembling circuit boards using solder and, until greater automation is introduced, some of them are likely to suffer from asthma caused by colophony.
Employers have a duty to prevent and reduce occupational asthma occurring. If you begin to suffer from this restriction to your airways and believe it is related to your work, you should tell your supervisor immediately and a risk assessment should be carried out.
If occupational asthma is diagnosed and the worker is unable to continuing working at their previous job because of it, the Government's industrial injuries disablement benefit may well be payable on a regular basis.
Making a claim for asthma caused by colophony
Should you decide your employer has been negligent either in taking preventative measures to avoid you contracting asthma or not helping you reduce exposure to the fumes, you may be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation against the business.
The services of a lawyer, such as those who work with YouClaim, who specialises in representing people who have suffered from industrial illness or injury, will be vital in securing the best possible financial outcome, especially if you are unable to work due to the severity of the asthma symptoms.
With our no win, no fee policy and a sympathetic, yet professional approach, supervised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, with YouClaim you can be certain of the best attention to your damages claim wherever you live in the UK.
If you believe you or a loved one have suffered from occupational asthma caused by colophony and it is less than three years since you received the diagnosis, why not contact us for legal advice either by using the form on this webpage or by calling 0800 10 757 95 and see how we can help.
