Electroplating

Permits

Water Pollution
Electroplaters who discharge process water to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) must obtain a permit from the operator of the POTW. A state NPDES Permit is required for discharge of process water to surface waters.  Manufacturers must also have a permit for storm water runoff.

Air Pollution
In Tennessee, air pollution is regulated in five geographical areas:
Davidson County
Hamilton County

Shelby County
The other ninety one counties are regulated directly by state Air Pollution Control.

Polishing and buffing operations emitting particulates may require a permit from your air pollution control agency.  Other processes which produce gases and mists which require exhaust and scrubbers may also be regulated.  Boilers and other fuel burning operations may be regulated, depending on fuel used and size.

For a complete listing of all rule and implementation information, proposed and finalized, for chromium electroplating, the EPA has a comprehensive site for keeping abreast of any new changes.

40 CFR Part 63 Subpart N National Emission Standards for Chromium Emissions from Hard and Decorative Chromium Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Tanks applies to all platers who do these processes. The regulation requires specific control devices for hard chromium processes. The  NIST Hard Chrome Mist Suppressant Study  indicated that some chemical mist suppressants were effective in hard chromium baths.  An amendment to the 1994 regulation allows hard chromium platers to comply with the regulation by using mist suppressants and surface tension control.

Development of a new group of federal air pollution regulations for urban air toxics is under way. Plating and polishing are listed as source categories to be regulated  by these standards. 

Hazardous Waste
Electroplaters are usually classified as small quantity generators or large quantity generators of hazardous waste by the state Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management.  A permit is required for the treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste from plating processes.

Quick Reference

• State Environmental Regulations
  • Water Pollution
  • Air Pollution
  • Hazardous Waste
• 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart N National Emission Standards for Chromium Emissions from Hard and Decorative Chromium Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Tanks
• 40 CFR Part 438 Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Metal Parts and Machinery Point Source Category
• Guide to Cleaner Technologies: Alternative Metal Finishes
• Guide to Cleaner Technologies: Cleaning and Degreasing Process Changes
• "Clean Air Compliance for Chromium Emissions from Electrolytic Processes" 1995.  - This workshop manual also includes waste reduction techniques and a bibliography of pollution prevention and waste reduction sources for electroplaters.
• NIST Hard Chrome Mist Suppressant Study
• RCRA Orientation Manual

For more information about Tennessee's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, please contact the program at 1-800-734-3619 or by email at [email protected]