In September 2012, following its RTR of the NESHAP for chromium electroplating and anodizing, the EPA issued revised regulations for the sector, which included a phaseout of the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in wetting agent fume suppressants (WAFSs) used in plating baths. The RTR rule allows a 3-year compliance period-until September 21, 2015-for existing sources to eliminate the use of PFOS WAFSs. Facilities can also apply for a 1-year extension to achieve compliance.Chromium plating organizations have expressed concern about the phaseout, particularly as it affects small electropolaters that rely more on fume suppressants to reduce the surface tension of their baths, thereby lowering chromium emissions, than large facilities that rely more on emissions control equipment. The core of their complaint is that the non-PFOS WAFSs the EPA is advocating are not sufficiently effective in lowering chromium emissions, will cost significantly more than PFOS WAFSs, and will even compromise the plating process.
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