Metal Finishing Facility Released Hexavalent Chromium into Huron River

A Michigan plating shop recently discharged approximately 10,000 gallons of wastewater containing hexavalent chromium to the local wastewater treatment authority, prompting state and local regulators to issue a “no contact” advisory for a large section of the Huron River.  The cause for the release is still under investigation.

Following the release, the State of Michigan collected 144 samples of downstream water from the Huron River, and only three samples contained detectable amounts of hexavalent chromium.  Nonetheless, residents, businesses, and environmental advocacy groups have called for more stringent pollution control laws in Michigan and increased pressure on the automotive industry to stop allowing the use of hexavalent chromium for its parts.

In response to media inquiries regarding the release, The Policy Group noted on behalf of the NASF that the industry continues to promote superior environmental performance and environmentally sustainable practices and faces among the most stringent and comprehensive environmental regulatory requirements in US manufacturing, particularly in the small manufacturing sector. 

Over the past two decades the surface finishing industry has reduced hexavalent chromium air emissions by over 99.7 percent and decreased the amount of hexavalent chromium in wastewater discharges by more than 95 percent.  In addition, NASF continues to support the use of more sustainable processes such as safer trivalent chromium processes where they are available and meet customer specifications and product quality criteria.

On behalf of NASF, The Policy Group will continue to monitor this incident and work with state and federal regulatory officials on inquiries.

If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding this issue, please contact Jeff Hannapel or Christian Richter with NASF at jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com or crichter@thepolicygroup.com. 

This update is courtesy of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF). For more information or to become a member, visit nasf.org.