The chrome They are present, to a greater or lesser extent, in the vast majority of cars we see on our streets. These types of moldings want to provide vehicles with greater distinction, to raise their status. At least this is how these materials are conceived in regions like China, where they love the shine of chrome trim and do not hesitate to put them in various places. although now could be the end of this material and the reason is that it is directly related to public health.
These finishes contain hexavalent chromium compounds, which is a substance considered to be carcinogenic. In fact, it has been shown to cause chronic lung cancer in the case of continued exposure. It must also be taken into account that during the process of creating these pieces, specifically in the coating, emissions are very high and would be equivalent to a level of toxicity 500 times higher than that of diesel. It is true that chemical smoke depressants are used to reduce them, but they still contain toxic substances such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS).
The point is that the European Union is considering ban these materials from 2024, following the example of other places where it cannot be used, such as California. The automotive industry is one of those that employs them the most, so the decision will have a major impact on the sector. Because the truth is that there is no alternative material that has similar qualities with less impact on health. Qualities such as resistance were key, in addition to that aesthetic function that it always fulfilled.
In this way, manufacturers could be forced to put it aside and look for alternatives. There are already many who opt for black moldings to contrast, especially in sports versions. In any case, other non-polluting solutions are being investigated that are in line with the rest of the drift that the car is taking. The materialsrecycled They are more and more present in cars, having really interesting textiles in the interiors, and they could eventually replace chrome entirely.
Source: Coach
