Substitution of PFOS for use in nondecorative hard chrome plating

2.2.1 Denmark
As described above in section 2.1 ”Use of PFOS in Denmark”, the
information from the Danish non-decorative hard chrome industry together
with information from suppliers of mist suppressant chemicals to the Danish
industry indicates that the total use of PFOS for one year is between 10 and
28 kg calculated as pure PFOS. The concentration of PFOS in the mist
suppressant chemical formulation is typically 1-15% depending on the
formulation (supplier).
The low value is the use estimated by the industry and the high value is
amounts sold by suppliers to Danish companies. Both numbers are calculated
by multiplying the estimated/sold amount with the content of PFOS indicated
by percentage range on the material safety data sheet.
2.2.2 Nordic countries
When information was obtained from suppliers about the use of PFOS in
Denmark, the Nordic suppliers were at the same time asked about
information on sold amounts of PFOS to Nordic countries. The contacted
suppliers reported a total amount of 90 kg calculated as pure PFOS for the
years 2007/2008 or 2009 (depending on the supplier). In all, three of the
contacted suppliers sold PFOS mist suppressant chemicals to the Nordic
countries during this time period. The total amount (calculated as pure
PFOS) was 90 kg. There could be other suppliers of PFOS for use as mist
suppressants for non-decorative hard chrome plating in the Nordic countries.
Norway
Norway has reported in an action plan for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances)
and PFOS-related substances that the major areas of use for PFOS-related
substances in Norway are fire-fighting foams and the chrome-plating industry
(SFT, 2005). No information about the specific use of PFOS is mentioned.
In Carloni (2009), it is reported that Norway has submitted information to the
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants – POPs Review
Committee (POPRC) that the estimated use of PFOS in Norway for metal
plating is 3-5 liters. It seems that is data is from 2005 or 2006.
According to a document by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants (SC UNEP/POPS/POPRC.5/INF/14, 2009), the
Norwegian Galvano Industry Organisation (NGLF) has reported that their
suppliers no longer provide wetting/anti-mist agent for chromium plating.
Instead they provide PFOS-free tensides. NGLF considers the performance
of these alternatives to be insufficient and is currently developing better
alternatives to PFOS and alternative technology to solve the problem with
airborne loss of hexavalent chromium from the baths. Where possible the
chromium-(VI) process is being substituted by the chromium-(III) process.
This information seems more recent than the information from Carloni
(2009). It is therefore assumed that the use of PFOS in Norway is zero.
Sweden
In an action plan from 2004, Sweden has reported that the use of PFOSrelated
chemicals for metal plating in 2002 was 3% of the total use of PFOSrelated
chemicals i.e. 3% of 862 kg = 26 kg (KEMI, 2004). This estimate was
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