US Regulations
In the US, the principal
environmental regulations are those issued by OSHA
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) which
oversees workplace safety and health, and by the EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency) which is responsible for
health and the environment. In addition to the federal
agencies, some states issue their own rules – notably
California.
OSHA Cr6+
PEL
– A newly enacted
OSHA rule severely curbs the use of industrial processes
that could expose workers to hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
air emissions. This affects many operations involved in
making a wide variety of products.
Other OSHA
– Other OSHA rules regulate worker exposure to
trivalent chromium (Cr3+) and cadmium.
EPA Cr6+
Clean Air
– Industrial
emissions of Cr6+ into the outside air are
controlled by the EPA. This rule has had a major effect on
hard and decorative chrome plating and chromic acid
anodizing.
Other EPA
– The EPA also regulates water and the disposal of
hazardous waste, which again impacts hard chrome plating.
Nickel is a likely future addition to the list of regulated
air pollutants.
California
–
By far the most active US state in the
environmental area, California has rules governing chrome
plating, chromic acid anodizing, thermal spray processes,
automotive coatings, and electrical and electronic products.
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