The development of emissions over time

In Sweden, the production emissions of chromium increased drastically in the period 1910-1970. Until the 1950s, tanning (see table 2) was the main source of chromium pollution, while steel and ferrochrome plants (see table 3) dominated the emissions after 1960. Despite a continued increase in chrome alloy steel production, the emissions drastically decreased in the 1970s, owing to an increasingly effective control programme.

The use of chromium in Sweden has increased constantly since the beginning of the century. Between 1950 and 1980, imports increased more than sixfold (see table 4). Most of the chromium will end up in the technosphere in numerous products. Even if only very small quantities are assumed to reach the environment, in the long run these emissions will be most significant. As consumption emissions are still increasing, leaching from chromium products appears to be a major future source of pollution.

Table 2 Calculated chromium emissions from tanneries in Sweden, 1910-1980

Source: Swedish Industrial Statistics, various years.

Table 3 Calculated chromium emissions from ferrochrome alloy and steel plants in Sweden, 1920-1980

Source: Swedish Industrial Statistics, various years.

Table 4 Total consumption emissions in Sweden, 1920-1980 (calculated from import surplus)

Source: Swedish Trade Statistics, various years.

For lead, production emissions culminated in the 1970s, but owing to improved production control are now relatively limited. The total production emissions to air in the period 1880-1980 (see table 5) have been dominated by one particular metalworks (Rönnskär), with a percentage of up to 57 per cent. Other contributors have been iron and steel production (16 per cent), rubber (12 per cent), glass (11 per cent), and battery manufacture (2 per cent). The major sources of total emissions to water (see table 6) have been metalworks (47 per cent), iron and steel (39 per cent), mining (9 per cent), and crystal glass production (5 per cent).

The consumption of lead in Sweden increased drastically in conjunction with rapid industrialization, by more than 40 times between 1880 and 1960. But since then it has decreased because of the stagnation in some of its major areas of use, and also because of increased recycling. The shares of the various uses have changed significantly over the hundred years. By the end of the last century, metal products and chemicals, mostly white and red lead used in paint, were dominant. Since around 1920, most of the lead has been used for cables and batteries, while metal products and chemicals have kept stable shares of 10-15 per cent each (see table 7).

Table 5 Calculated lead emissions to air in Sweden, 1880-1980 (based on production figures), in tonnes per year

Source: For production figures: Swedish Industrial Statistics. various years.

a. Estimated by the Swedish Environmental Protection Board.

Table 6 Calculated lead emissions to water in Sweden, 1880-1980 (based on production figures), in tonnes per year

Source: Swedish Trade Statistics, various years. a. Estimated by the Swedish Environmental Protection Board.

After the Second World War tetraethyl lead was introduced as an additive to gasoline. Around 1970 this use reached over 2,000 tonnes, or 3.5 per cent of total consumption. Even though this share is rather small, it has by far been the most important emission source during the latter half of the century. The production and import of lead shot and cartridges have fluctuated considerably throughout the century, but ammunition has always been a significant source of lead emissions. The total amount of lead emissions calculated from both production and consumption was approximately 190,000 tonnes between 1880 and 1980. The share of consumption emissions was 85 per cent, with about one-fourth each from both ammunition and gasoline, and one-third from other consumer uses (e.g. lead pigments, cables, and batteries). The emissions from consumption have dominated for the whole period studied (see figure 1).

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