National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Chromium (VI) compounds: Sources of emissions

Industry sources

Emissions to air and water from:
Chemical manufacturing industry e.g. dyes for paints, rubber and plastic products.
Metal finishing industry e.g. chrome plating.
Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, wood, stone, clay and glass products.
Electrical and aircraft manufacturers, steam and air conditioning supply services.
Cement producing plants as cement contains chromium.
Incineration of council refuse and sewage sludge.
Combustion of oil and coal.

Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data

Facilities below the reporting threshold.

Natural sources

Chromium (VI) compounds are not found in nature. Chromium is usually found as the Cr(III) form, as the mineral Chromite and in many soils.

Transport sources

Emission to air from the wearing down of brake linings containing chromium. Motor vehicle exhaust (crude oil contains traces of chromium (III) compounds, these may oxidise to the chromium (VI) state during fuel combustion in vehicle engines).

Consumer products

Some inks, paints and paper.
Some rubber and composite floor coverings.
Some treated (preserved) timber products.
Some toner powders used in copying machines.

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist