Fugitive emission measurements above a hard chromium plating tank using spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SIBS)

This paper presents the results of total chromium fugitive emissions measur ements above a hard chromium electroplating tank at the Marine Corps Logist ics Base (MCLB) in Albany, GA. The measurements were made using OSHA Draft Method ID-215 and a newly developed realtime monitor based on spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SIBS), The SIBS monitor acquired data on a five-se c time scale and was used to survey the total chromium concentrations above the plating bath surface over a range of ventilation rates in conjunction with operation of an experimental liquid recirculation system. The SIBS-mea sured concentrations varied from <10 mu g/m(3) (the lower limit of detectio n) to >1000 mu g/m(3). The measured concentrations were well correlated to distance from the plating bath surface, smoke test indications of poorly ve ntilated areas and ventilation flow rate, The SIBS data quantitatively agre e with simultaneous internal filter results and with the OSHA-approved air sampling filter measurements. These results indicate the SIBS monitor is ca pable of industrial hygiene monitoring of chromium in a plating environment .