PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RULE REDUCING TOXIC AIR EMISSIONS FROM CHROMIUM
ELECTROPLATING AND CHROMIUM ANODIZING TANKS
May 23, 2002
TODAY'S ACTION
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to its
national emission standards for chromium emissions from hard and decorative
chromium electroplating and chromium anodizing tanks. These emission standards
were put into place to reduce air emissions of toxic air pollutants. The purpose
of this amendment is to allow for new equipment and control techniques that have
been developed since the promulgation of the standard.
- Toxic air pollutants, or air toxics, are known to cause cancer and other
serious health effects.
- EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication of the
proposed amendment in the Federal Register. After reviewing and carefully
considering all comments, the Agency anticipates issuing the final rule in 2002.
BACKGROUND
- EPA worked with major stakeholders, including representatives from the
industry, in developing this proposal. This action implements a recommendation
from the Common Sense Initiative (CSI)
- Metal Finishing subcommittee. The CSI was established by former
Administrator Browner to bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to
advise, consult with and make recommendations on
- matters pertaining to improving the nation’s pollution prevention and
control programs. The CSI participants included independent experts selected
from among the national and local environmental
- interest groups, industry, State and local governments, and other
stakeholders such as labor organizations, environmental justice organizations,
and the Federal government.
- The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, require EPA to regulate emissions of
188 listed toxic air pollutants. On July 16, 1992, EPA published a list of
industrial source categories that emit one or more of these air toxics.
- For listed categories of "major" sources (those that emit 10 tons/year or
more of a listed pollutant or 25 tons/year or more of a combination of
pollutants), the Clean Air Act requires EPA to develop standards that require
the application of stringent air pollution reduction measures known as maximum
achievable control technology.
- EPA identified chromium electroplating as one of the industrial sources
emitting one or more toxic air pollutants.
- Hard chromium electroplating processes deposit a relatively thick layer of
chromium directly onto a base metal (usually steel) to provide characteristics
such as hardness, wear and corrosion resistance. In decorative chromium
electroplating, a thinner layer of chromium is plated onto the base metal to
provide a bright surface with wear and tarnish resistance. In the chromium
anodizing process, an oxide layer is coated onto aluminum to provide corrosion
resistance.
- Chromium air emissions from electroplating and anodizing processes are
suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects in humans.
- EPA issued national emission standards for chromium emissions from hard and
decorative chromium electroplating and chromium anodizing tanks were issued in
1995.
BENEFITS AND COST
- The proposed rule amendments will not result in any measurable change in
emission reductions, but will provide owners and operators alternatives to
existing requirements. The existing alternatives will still be available for
those owners and operators that choose to use them. These changes will provide
more flexibility to many affected small businesses.
WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED RULE AMENDMENTS
- The proposed rule amendments include two changes which may apply to hard
chromium electroplating facilities. The first would add new requirements that
accommodate the use of fume suppressants (fume suppressants are compounds which
are added to the electroplating solution to
- reduce misting) for controlling chromium emissions from hard chromium
electroplating tanks. The second would add an alternative standard to the
existing limit for air emissions of chromium for hard chromium electroplating
tanks equipped with enclosing hoods which completely cover the surface of the
plating tank.
- This action also proposes to change the definitions of chromium
electroplating tank and chromium anodizing tank to include all ancillary
equipment necessary to accomplish electroplating or anodizing. EPA is proposing
this change to maintain reductions in chromium air emissions while preventing
existing electroplaters and anodizers from unnecessary regulatory requirements.
- This action also proposes to amend the monitoring requirements for composite
mesh pads by expanding the acceptable pressure drop range. EPA is also proposing
to make several editorial changes which either correct or clarify rule language.
These editorial changes would not effect the
- rule’s applicability or requirements.
- The recordkeeping and reporting requirements in the proposed rule are
similar to those required for other EPA air toxics regulations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- To download a copy of the proposed rule, go to EPA’s World Wide Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/.
- For further information about the proposed rule amendments, contact Mr. Phil
Mulrine of EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards at(919) 541-5289
or mulrine.phil@epa.gov.
- Send any comments on the proposed rulemaking (in duplicate if possible) to:
Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102), Attention: Docket No.
A-88-02, Room M-1500, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460. You may also
- submit comments and data by electronic mail (e-mail) to:
A-and-R-Docket@epamail.epa.gov.
For additional information about our chromium lawyers and a
complimentary consultation, speak to a Client Relations representative at Weitz
& Luxenberg today! Please fill out this simple
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