California Metal-Finishing Facility Temporarily Closed due to Hexavalent Chromium Emissions

In October, the Press-Telegram published a story about the temporary closure of a metal-finishing business in Paramount, California. According to their article, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) ordered the temporary closure after air monitoring equipment detected above-threshold levels of hexavalent chromium (chromium VI).

The SCAQMD had been monitoring the air since 2013 when the agency received community complaints of a metallic odor thought to be coming from a metal forging and grinding operation in the area. In 2016, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health sent directives to two companies in Paramount after monitoring and air tests conducted by SCAQMD indicated that hexavalent chromium emissions near the businesses registered at hundreds of times greater than typical background levels. The directives stated that both businesses were operating in violation of the California Health and Safety Code, and causing a public nuisance that endangered the health of the surrounding community.

“There have been other temporary closures at this facility in recent years caused by high levels of hexavalent chromium in the air downwind of the plant,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This is a concern for people that live and work in the area since hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of the element chromium. These compounds are manmade and widely used in many different industries. Uses include chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks and plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers and other surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating. It can also be formed when performing ‘hot work’ such as welding on stainless steel or melting chromium metal. Back in 1987, hexavalent compounds from chromium were added to California’s Prop 65 list due to concerns over their ability to cause cancer.”

The environmental and industrial hygiene scientists at LA Testing help businesses comply with regulations through air testing. They provide comprehensive analytical services and all of the sampling supplies needed to submit samples. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about hexavalent chromium that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/1G8bq7rM5w8.

To learn more about hexavalent chromium testing or other air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail