MFSA Conference Examines Sciences Science & Impact of OSHA's Proposed Chromium PEL

摘要

One of the mainstays of the North American economy, indeed the global economy, is the automotive industry. A current issue that strongly impacts that industry is the OSHA-proposed chromium permissible exposure limit (PEL), which calls for a reduction in occupational hexavalent chromium exposure from 52 mu g/m~3 to a mere 1.0 mu g/m~3. If taken to conclusion, it would all have to be in place by January 2007. On August 24, 2005, a special conference on the subject was held in Dearborn, Michigan, in the Lovett Hall Ballroom of the Henry Ford Museum complex. Its purpose was to assess the current state of the science, the potential for future regulation and possible market impacts. It was organized by the Metal Finishing Suppliers' Association (MFSA) in conjunction with USCAR, the umbrella organization of Daimler-Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, formed in 1992 to strengthen the technology base of the domestic auto industry through cooperative research. This was the third in a series of such annual events, previous conferences having dealt with chromium passivates and nickel emissions. This valuable forum began with a gracious welcome and introduction by MFSA President Bill Saas of Taskem, Inc.