Engineering Commons^™

Chromate Content Bias As A Function Of Particle Size In Aircraft Primer Paint Overspray, David B. Novy

Theses and Dissertations

Spray painting operations using chromate-containing primer paints produce particles which may expose workers to strontium chromate. Chromate contains hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) which is a confirmed human carcinogen. It is suspected that the smaller particles contain disproportionately less Cr(VI) than larger particles. In order to determine if a bias in chromate content exists, paint particles were collected and separated based on particle size and the Cr(VI) concentration was determined. Aviation primer paint from the DeSoto and Deft companies was sprayed in a booth and seven-stage cascade impactors were used to separate particles.