Although hexavalent processes have been used for electroplating for over 65 years, they have serious environmental and performance problems associated with them.
Hexavalent chromium is a highly toxic material as well as a suspected carcinogen.
Its use poses a danger to human health, particularly to shop personnel, as well as to the environment. Hexavalent chromium can escape the plating line through spills, leaks, in discarded baths, rinses, and in a form of mist associated with hydrogen bubbles generated during plating operations. There are also performance deficiencies associated with hexavalent chromium use that result in many reject parts and other problems that cost a shop owner money. Hexavalent chromium wastes need to be chemically reduced to trivalent chrome in the shop's treatment plant. This necessitates the use of expensive chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, metabisulfite or sodium borohydride.