Metal Finishing
Metal finishing facilities use a number of chemicals in their operations,
including acids and bases, cyanide compounds, metal compounds (such
as cadmium, chromium and nickel) and a variety of solvents. Waste
streams from metal finishing processes include wastewater, hazardous
waste, and solid waste.
The following websites contain information on waste reduction opportunities:
Electroplating and Metal Finishing
A Pollution Prevention Resource Manual for Metal Finishers Text version
P2Rx Metal Finishing Topic Hub
Issued: January 2003
Small Business Technical Assistance Program
Contacts: Roy Krout, Julie Churchill
1-800-789-9802 (toll-free) or 207-287-8550
roy.t.krout@maine.gov
Small Business Assistance
For: Machining and Metal Fabrication Businesses
Benefits/Background: The following is a list of some important requirements, possible processes or chemicals used, as well as helpful suggestions for best managing your business to help reduce costs, reduce waste, keep hazardous substances out of the environment and protect your health. Although all may not be applicable to your specific business, please read through and check what you may be using and how your business is doing.
- Metalworking Process Fluids (likely will be hazardous waste)
Spent fluids
Spent quenchant
Tank rinses
Assorted cleaners (including parts cleaners, etc.)
Used oils (hazardous or if not contaminated possibly non-hazardous)
Hazardous waste requires EPA generator's identification number and management/transport requirements in accordance with Maine DEP standards.
- Solid Materials
Scrap metal, chips, swarf
Filters
Oil or solvent contaminated rags and absorbents (may be hazardous waste also.)
- Wastewater
Water-based metalworking fluids, non-contact cooling water, interim rinse tanks in quenching process, boiler blow-down water, wet deburring, waterjet cutting, welding quench tanks, and scrubbers.
As noted above, some metalworking fluids may require handling as hazardous waste, or contaminants may otherwise make them unsuitable for discharge to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW.)
- Air Emissions
Potential Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions from metalworking fluids.
- Other
Floor drains (holding tanks)
Fueling/Fuel storage tanks- (above, below ground level)
Waste storage areas (hazardous, solid)
Refrigerant recycling
Potential worker health and chemical exposure issues (see Safetyworks! program below.)
Questions for your business may be….
- Are all your fluids, including any hazardous wastes, handled cleanly and used or disposed of properly?
- Have any spills, inside or outside, been properly cleaned up such that contamination of soils and groundwater is no longer a concern?
- Are your fluids and fuels properly stored for safety, spill prevention, and risk protection?
Pollution Prevention
Sources for pollution prevention information and environmentally preferable purchasing options specific for metal fabrication (also metal finishing,) in addition to other businesses can be found at http://www.p2gems.org.
Our Small Business Assistance Program at DEP offers free on-site assistance services under our protective Small Business Compliance Incentives Policy. This policy provides protection from regulatory enforcement in addition to clear time frames for correcting possible violations. On-site business visits are typically helpful, low stress and designed to give clear and helpful information related directly to the individual small business at their location. A summary letter from the assistance staff provides your status and recommendations for your business in an easy to understand format. The program staff is also a contact for pollution prevention and compliance information, if you prefer other than on-site assistance. Call us toll-free at 1-800-789-9802 to find out more.
Other free assistance can be provided by our Maine Dept. of Labor, Safetyworks! program to help with air sampling, noise monitoring, ergonomic assessment, as well as general safety and health consultation. Contact David Wacker, Director of Workplace Health and Safety (phone number: 624-6400), for information regarding a free audit to assist your small business to be in compliance with worker safety issues.
This guide sheet is provided by the Small Business Assistance Program at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for assistance with pollution prevention and regulatory compliance issues. Drafted in December, 2002.
