- 02 August 2006 -
California Proposes Ban On Hexavalent Chromium in Decorative Plating

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed an air toxic control measure (ATCM) for hexavalent chromium that includes not only an overly restrictive standard of 0.0015 mg/m3, but also a phase-out provision for hexavalent chromium in decorative chrome plating. 

CARB's proposed standard is significantly more restrictive than the nation's most stringent standard set by Southern California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). In fact, the SCAQMD, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), and three other major air districts in California that include most of the chrome platers in the state have publicly opposed the proposed CARB ATCM based on faulty scientific data and incorrect assumptions.

The Metal Finishing Association of Southern California (MFASC) and the Surface Technology Association (STA) have been working closely with SCAQMD and BAAQMD to challenge CARB on this potentially devastating proposed regulation.  Based in part on these efforts, CARB recently indicated that it may forego the phase-out of hexavalent chromium for decorative chrome plating. CARB does, however, intend to pursue a "phase-in" of control technology to meet the proposed 0.0015 mg/m3 standard that would require nearly all decorative chrome platers, large and small, to install expensive HEPA systems for all tanks. CARB expects to release its new proposed language for the ATCM shortly.

The industry will continue to actively engage CARB on this matter with SCAQMD and BAAQMD. CARB has scheduled more meetings on this topic on Aug. 21, 2006, in Sacramento, and Aug. 23 at the SCAQMD's offices. 

For more information on this critical state regulatory proposal, contact the industry's Government Relations office in Washington at jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com or Dan Cunningham in California at mfaschq@socal.rr.com.

Source: The Policy Group