Emission Reduction from Chromium Plating Tanks 

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has proposed a sharp reduction in the permissible exposure level for hexavalent chromium, from the current level of 53 micrograms per cubic meter down to one – a more than fifty-fold reduction.  The new level will apply to metal finishing shops, shipyards, and many other industries.  Even if the final rule is not lowered as drastically as OSHA proposes, some reduction is inevitable, and many facilities will find themselves out of compliance with the standards unless they take steps now to institute engineering and operational improvements.

NCMS has been exploring several relatively inexpensive options that can dramatically decrease the levels of chromium in the air near plating tanks.  One novel idea involves altering solution flow with the tank to minimize the release of uncaptured aerosols from the plating bath surface. 

We are seeking anyone interested in participating in a project to evaluate this and other methods for reduction in air emissions from chromium plating tanks.

NCMS Contact: Customer Care, (734) 995-0300, customercare@ncms.org