WPC is headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and is the sole remaining U.S. manufacturer of strontium chromate, used for the paints and coatings industry, and has operated in Wisconsin since 1975.

Chrome-based products like strontium chromate are subject to a number of environmental and safety regulations. WPC stores some products in an explosion-proof room.

Mr White was exposed to the strontium chromate dust when he was posted to the HMAS Hobart at Sydney's Garden Island in 1996. He said the dust entered his ear through repeated insertion and removal ...

The Royal Australian Air Force's B300 King Air fleet was suspended on June 30 after revelations the flight crew had been exposed to the highly dangerous chemical strontium chromate.