Our Solution to Anti-Corrosive Coatings that Contains Hexavalent Chromium
Regulations on Hexavalent Chromium
Health Effect of Hexavalent Chromium
Environmental Effect of Hexavalent Chromium

Our Environmentally Friendly Heavy-Duty Anti-Corrosion Coating Technology

AnCatt developed an outstanding solutions for replacing anti-corrosion converstion coatings (primers) containing Hexavalent Chromium with even better anti-corrosion abilities.

We are introducing the Environmentally Friendly High Performance Anti-corrosion Coating Technology, which does not employ conventional toxic/carcinogenic heavy-metal anti-corrosion pigments such as chromates and lead compounds, not even less toxic but sacrificial zinc/zinc compounds while providing heavy-duty corrosion protections to metals including aluminum. Our technology provides an excellent solution to the urgent needs of Hexavalent Chromium-free anti-corrosion coatings for aluminum and its alloys. For steels, our technology provides a smarter solution with higher effectiveness, friendlier to the environment, scratch tolerant, lower cost, and much longer performance life. Our coating is absolutely chromate-free, not even using the less toxic cousin Trivalent Chromium. Our heavy-metal free heavy-duty anti-corrosion pigment will make it easy to transition from currently chromated wash primer and conversion coating system with no additional new equipment.

Test for longer period is still underway. Please visit the Corrosion Test page for detailed laboratory data and pictures. If you would like to test our anti-corrosion technology, please contact us to request coated sample panels. Currently we are seeking partners to licensing/commercialize this new technology. Read more about this technology.

Below are some information on Regulations, Health, and Environmental Effects of Hexavalent Chromium.

Regulations on Hexavalent Chromium

Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI), emissions as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) in accordance with the Aerospace National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule. Hexavalent chromium is also strictly regulated by the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA).

The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) was recently lowered by the OSHA. European environmental regulations have severely restricted and effectively banned the use of hexavalent chromium on vehicles and electrical equipment. Additional restrictions are anticipated. People througout the world has been working on finding Hexavalent Chromium Alternatives, and now the needs has become even more urgent.

In April 2009 the Department of Defense issued an unusually forceful memorandum (available here) requiring an aggressive phase-out of hexavalent chromium, concurrent with a push to find effective alternatives. The memo cites “serious human health and environmental risks” related to the use of hexavalent chromium, as well as a growing number of international restrictions that threaten the supply chain. The DoD is not messing around. Characterizing the situation as an “extraordinary” one that calls for going “beyond established hazardous materials management processes” the memo was issued by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and was copied to a dozen directors, commanders, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, calling for all departments to report their implementation plans within one year. (click here for the full article - U.S. Military Targets Toxic Enemy #1: Hexavalent Chromium, by Tina Casey, July 4th, 2009)

Health Effects of Hexavalent Chromium

Workers who breathe hexavalent chromium compounds at their jobs for many years may be at increased risk of developing cancer (lungs are especially vulnerable, followed by fine capillaries in kidneys and intestine). Breathing high levels o hexavalent chromium can irritate or damage the nose, throat, and lungs. Irritation or damage to the eyes and skin can occur if hexavalent chromium contacts these organs in high concentrations or for a prolonged period of time. Please see United State Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) site for more details.

One of the most notorious cases of how Hexavalent Chromium impacts the human body is depicted in the 2000 blockbuster movie Erin Brockovich which is based on a true story involved a controversial lawsuit against the world’s largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) using Hexavalent Chromium as an anti-corrosive in the cooling tower of a gas compressor station in the Mojave Desert town of Hinkley, California, and residents of Hinkley had been experiencing a disturbing array of health problems. As of June 2009 finds her still battling for safe drinking water, and once again the culprit is Hexavalent Chromium.

Environmental Effects of Hexavalent Chromium

Hexavalent Chromium compounds is quite soluable and also can be found in airborne form. Hexavalent Chromium can have a high to moderate, acute toxic effect on plants, birds or land animals. This can mean death of animals, birds or fish and death or low growth rate in plants. Chromium (VI) does not breakdown or degrade easily and there is a high potential for accumulation of Hexavalent Chromium in fish life.