NASF POLICY UPDATE
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info@nenasf.org
508-754-2671
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER HOSTS ANNUAL VIRTUAL FALL SEMINAR
On September 18, 2024 the New England Chapter of NASF hosted their annual Fall Webinar for the benefit of their membership and the entire non-NENASF metal finishing community. This year’s event featured a cross section of varied technical presentations designed to enhance and broaden the knowledge of Wastewater Professionals as well as all interested members of the metal finishing community. The event was presented free of charge to NENASF members, and at a modest fee for other interested parties, as an educational and bonding opportunity for the metal finishing community.
The Webinar was conducted by means of Zoom format and attracted about three dozen attendees. It consisted of three segments featuring three presenters over a two-hour period from 10:00am to 12:00 pm offering a user-friendly Zoom format for all attendees. In addition to offering vital regulatory and technical information the event also made available two Continuing Education Wastewater Treatment Operator Contact Hours needed for WWT Operator License renewal.
Fernando Carminholi from Hubbard-Hall opened the Webinar with a presentation on Membrane Filtration for a Cleaner and More Sustainable Future. His presentation showed factual technical data on the use of microfiltration as a means of removing saturated oil from cleaning solutions, thus adding to the life of the cleaning solution resulting in chemical make-up cost savings and disposal cost savings, thus reducing the impact to the environment with beneficial cost savings to the company. Fernando offered case studies that resulted in 35 to 45 % cost savings using membrane filtration over a multi-year period.
This was followed by a presentation by Brian Morrill, vice president of GZA GeoEnvironmental giving a detailed update on the rapidly evolving PFAS discharge regulation front. The EPA has already issued regulations on PFAS in public drinking water supplies, and wastewater discharge PFAS limit regulations are being mandated in the near future. The EPA is using the data accumulated by the comprehensive PFAS Survey that most metal finishers completed in early 2024 as a basis for promulgating PFAS discharge limits for our industry.
The webinar was concluded with a presentation by James Mitchell, R & D Associate chemist for PAVCO, who spoke on the use of inert Ion-Exchange Membrane Anodes used in acid zinc and zinc-nickel solutions as a means of minimizing metal growth in bathes thus offering cost and environmental savings resulting from not having to “cut” and dispose of plating solutions over time.
Once again, we want to give special thanks to Chris Capalbo, moderator, all the member of the NENASF who contributed to this successful Program, and a special thanks to the talented speakers who offered their time and talent to make this presentation come to fruition for the benefit of the Metal Finishing Community.
NENASF ANNUAL RCRA AND ENVIRO UPDATE SEMINAR WITH A NEW TWIST
The New England Chapter of the NASF was pleased once again to offer a Seminar for the benefit of its members, and the metal finishing community, featuring annual mandatory RCRA training as well as environmental updates on hot button issues impacting the metal finishers. This year, for the first time, the Seminar was offered free of charge to all New England Chapter members in good standing as an extra membership benefit and a means of thanking loyal members for their support of NASF ideals at both the local and national level. The event took place on May 15, 2024 at the Courtyard Marriott in Marlborough Massachusetts.
The more than thirty-five attendees first received their mandatory RCRA training by Jorge Bejarano of HRP Associates. This training is a requirement for all personnel who are responsible for hazardous chemicals and waste handling, storing and offering for transportation. Jorge gave a fast paced and thorough presentation covering all aspects of safe and proper hazardous chemical handling.
The second segment of the Seminar was dedicated to Environmental Issues. Three speakers who were present from the Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs, along with one via video link, offered an enlightening look into the newly emerging Environmental Justice initiatives which involve community interaction between industry and residents of communities that are disproportionately impacted by industrial pollutants. This was followed by a presentation by MCTA Executive Director Katherine Robertson who gave insight into the legislative activities on Capitol Hill in Boston with special emphasis on updating TURA activities and potential industry impact. The closing speaker was Brian Morrill, Associate Principal and Vice President of GZA GeoEnvironmental, informing attendees about the latest PFAS regulatory happenings that could have future impact on the Metal Finishing Community.
This well attended event is another way that membership in the NASF, at both the Local and National level, can benefit metal finishers at all levels. Once again, thank you to all NENASF Board Members, NENASF membership as a whole, and talented members of the Metal Finishing Community for offering their time and talent to making beneficial events like this a reality.
Summer 2024 NASF Online Courses Free to Members!
New Courses – Summer 2024
INTRODUCTION: PLATING 101
Recommended Time & Experience: No experience or knowledge of the surface finishing industry required.
Description: This online, self-paced course covers the base concepts of Plating and the importance of personal and environmental safety in the workplace.
Designed For: Those who want to better understand when and how surface plating is used. Ideal for those new to the industry or as part of a new employee orientation.
Content Level: Introductory (100 Series)
Approx Hours to Complete: >1 Hour
Learning Objectives: Those completing this course will be able to:
• Describe the three methods and types of metal plating.
• Outline the steps in Plating: Loading, Pre-Treatment, the Electroplating Process, and Post-Treatment.
• Recognize and understand the elements and importance of personal and environmental safety in the workplace.
Registration Fee:
Online Course Member: $0 Non-Member: $175
CHEMISTRY REFRESHER
Designed for: Individuals who scored less than 100% on the Chem Test Your Knowledge test and need a refresher and intending to take the CAF, CEF, or one of the plating specific courses listed below.
• Aluminum Finishing
• Chromium Plating
• Electroless Deposition
• Wastewater Management
• Industrial & Precious Metals
• Plating Essentials
• Zinc & Zinc Alloy
Course Description: This online, self-paced course will cover important concepts that must be mastered to be successful in the courses listed above and on any of the respective exams where a demonstration of knowledge will be required. It covers basic chemistry concepts including definitions, chemical reactions and chemical properties as they relate to the industry.
Content Level: Introductory (100 Series)
Approx Hours to Complete: 1 Hour
Learning Objectives: Those completing this course will be able to:
1. Understand the atomic structures for the most used elements in the plang process.
2. Properly apply the principles of Ohm’s and Faraday’s Law.
3. Recognize and idenfy various chemical reacons including water & salt, acids & bases,
anodes & cathodes.
Registration Fee:
Online Course Member: $0 Non-Member: $175
MATH BASICS (New course. Available July 1, 2024)
Designed For: Individuals who scored less than 100% on the Math Test Your Knowledge test and need a refresher and intending to take the CAF, CEF, or one of the plating specific courses listed below.
• Chromium Plating
• Electroless Deposition
• Wastewater Management
• Industrial & Precious Metals
• Plating Essentials
• Zinc & Zinc Alloy
Course Description: This online, self-paced course provides the learner a refresher in the math basics critical to understanding and fulfilling their role in the plating process. It includes basic and intermediate mathematical functions including scientific notations, solving algebraic and proportional equations, and units of measure.
Content Level: Introductory (100 Series)
Approx Hours to Complete: 1 Hour
Learning Objectives: Those completing this course will be able to:
• Those completing this course will be able to: Recognize mathemacal symbols, convenons, and definions.
• Ulize scienfic notaon and units of measure to solve algebraic and proporonal equaons.
• Properly calculate surface areas.
Registration Fee:
Online Course Member: $0 Non-Member: $175
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER HOSTS ANNUAL VIRTUAL MARCH SEMINAR
The New England Chapter of NASF was, once again, pleased to host a virtual Wastewater Continuing Education Webinar for the benefit of our membership and the entire metal finishing community. This event was offered via Zoom format, at no charge to NENASF members, over a two-hour period from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday March 20, 2024.
The program, comprised of three speakers, offered vital technical and regulatory compliance information to the metal finishing community. Attendees also qualified for two Continuing Education Wastewater Treatment Contact Hours to be used towards Wastewater license renewal.
Frank DeSilva of Resin Tech opened the Webinar with an update on the current status of the very hot button PFAS issue and regulatory efforts by the EPA. After giving us some very helpful facts, he then offered remediation techniques and technologies for successful PFAS removal from waste streams.
This presentation was followed by one from Mark Schario of Columbia Chemicals who enlightened attendees with a history of Trivalent Chrome plating baths and how they have greatly improved in appearance and durability over the last three or four decades. The substitution of Hex Chrome plating baths with trivalent baths is a very timely presentation given the TSCA chemical banning frenzy that is taking place across all chemical user and manufacturer sectors, especially in the metal finishing community.
The closing speaker was Dave Calnan of CCI-A Chemicals offering practical solutions and techniques for, and benefits of, oxidizing wastewater prior to reduction and precipitation.
Special thanks, once again, to Chris Capalbo, Dev Massimi and Ralph Capalbo as Program Moderators and Speaker Facilitators for their contributions, and to the combined efforts of NASF Board Members, Committee Members, Chapter Membership and dedicated and talented members of the Metal Finishing Community as a whole for making events such as this available for the benefit of our membership. Over thirty members of the NENASF and metal finishing community were in attendance and benefited from this program.
NENASF Partners with HRP Associates
The NENASF is pleased to announce that we have partnered with HRP Associates. HRP has for years organized and run our Annual HAZMAT, RCRA, and DOT TRAINING seminars and will once again be doing so on May 15th, 2024!
Please visit their sight to see what they have to offer!
HRP Associates
EXAMPLES OF TRAININGS OFFERED
RCRA Hazardous Waste ManagementDOT Hazardous Materials Transportation / IATA (Air) / IMDG (Vessel)
EHS Management Systems / ISO 14001:2015 / OHSAS 18001:2007
OSHA Health and Safety
8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher
Asbestos AwarenessProcess Safety Management
Brownfields Opportunities / Environmental Due Diligence
Environmental Compliance Overview
Spill (SPCC) and Stormwater (SWPPP)
Company specific EHS Training
UST A/B Operator Training
The 2023 New England Surface Finishing Regional in Newport, Rhode Island
The New England Surface Finishing Regional took place this past November 3rd in Newport, Rhode Island. It was a huge success with a 120 people in attendance. There were speakers from all over the country that delivered educational and thoughtful presentations to all in attendance.
The New England Surface Finishing Regional is honored to have presented the 7th Annual Foundation Award to longtime supporter Alex Price of Luster-On Products. The award was created to recognize a metal finishing supplier that has demonstrated outstanding contributions, support, and dedication to the annual regional event.
The 2024 the New England Surface Finishing Regional will be held November 8th in Hyannis, Cape Cod Massachusetts.
Please continue to follow www.nensaf.org all year for news and events throughout the New England metal finishing industry.
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER HOSTS ANNUAL VIRTUAL FALL SEMINAR
The New England Chapter of NASF hosted a virtual seminar for the benefit of their membership and the entire non-NENASF metal finishing community. The event was held on Wednesday September 13, 2023. The event was presented free of charge to NENASF members, and at a modest fee for other interested parties, as an educational and bonding opportunity for the metal finishing community.
The Webinar was conducted by means of Zoom format and attracted about forty attendees. It was made up of three segments featuring three presenters over a two-hour period from 10:00am to 12:00 pm offering a user-friendly format for all attendees. In addition to offering vital regulatory and technical information the event also made available two Continuing Education Wastewater Treatment Operator Contact Hours needed for WWT Operator License renewal.
Ethan Ware of Williams Mullen Law Group opened the Webinar with a presentation on the upcoming EPA PSFAS Survey that will be sent out to nearly 2000 metal finishers this fall. He stressed that the demographics would not only include chrome platers but chromate conversion coaters as well. This is a very detailed Survey and asks many complex questions through eight sections over seventy-one pages. He covered the answering/data requirements both from a technical as well as a legal perspective. He very much stressed that the information gathered in this Survey will shape the future of Wastewater Discharge Permits for years to come.
This was followed by a presentation by Jeremy Riley of Omega Research giving a detailed description of how proper finishing specification required test sample preparation can make a difference in acceptable test results, while poorly prepared samples can fail causing ripple effects with customer job acceptance.
The webinar was concluded with a presentation by Tony Oriti on Zinc-Nickel and Zinc-Tin as an alternative to Cadmium Plating. Tony not only presented the latest technological advances in these two finishes as they try to replace a long-time exceptional performing and defense and aerospace specified finish, cadmium, but also gave the attendees a look at emerging technology in the form a triple alloy finish that is in the developmental stages.
Once again we want to give special thanks to Chris Capalbo for moderating, and to Dev Massimi and Ralph Capalbo as Program Speaker Facilitators for their contributions, and to the combined efforts of NASF Board Members, Committee Members, Chapter Membership and dedicated and talented members of the Metal Finishing Community as a whole for making events such as this available for the benefit of our membership.
MCTA Members Meeting & Program
Registration Open
Pre-Approved for 2.5 CE Credits
Season Opener – Do You Have Your [Regulatory] Bases Covered?
Speaker:
This & That: A Regulatory UpdateBrian Morrill, Associate Principal, GZA
Panel Discussion Speakers:
ModeratorAtty: Robert Cox Bowditch & Dewey
Speakers
Chris Rascher, EPA Region 1, TRI Compliance & Program Coordinator
Stephen Klosz, MassDEP, Central Region Compliance Enforcement Analyst
When: June 15, 2023, 10 AM -12:30. Lunch to Follow
Where: DuPont Electronics and Industrial
New England Manufacturing and Technology Center
455 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA
Cost (Hybrid & In-Person): $50 Members, $100
Pre-registration required
To register for this event, please contact Katherine Robertson at katherine@masscta.org or 508-572-9113
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Reminder: MCTA’s PFAS Strategy Group Meets Thursday, June 1, 11 a
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New England Chapter of NASF is an official chapter of
The National Association for Surface Finishing