HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM (Cr(VI))

On February 28, 2006, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a standard that significantly lowered the limit on worker exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The new permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5 μg/m³ with an “Action Level” of 2.5 μg/m³.

	Regulatory Alert		OSHA:	Federal Register #71:10099-10385
				Standard §1910.1026
	Metal Finishing Cr(VI) PEL Air Monitoring Guidance by Joelie Zak, CEF-4, Scientific Control Laboratories, Inc.

As a result of the lower PEL, the finishing industry will face substantial new compliance costs and job loss. The industry has already filed a petition for judicial review of the new PEL challenging OSHA’s justification of the standard on technological and economic feasibility grounds. The goal of the litigation is to pursue a more favorable PEL or Action Level on technological and economic feasibility grounds, to secure more reasonable and appropriate implementation of the rule’s regulatory requirements of the rule, and to prevent the group Public Citizen from forcing OSHA to lower the PEL from 5 μg/m³ to 0.25 μg/m³. The industry needs your help to support the critical legal challenge ahead.

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