Continuing from the previous post on the environmental impacts caused by leather tanning, this post will touch on the related effects to human health. Exposure to chromium is a severe occupational hazard for tannery workers who face chronic exposure to one of the heaviest metals. Communities that live in areas surrounding tanneries are also placed at risk as untreated wastewater from tanneries could contaminate nearby water sources, providing a continuous pathway for toxic chemicals to enter the systems of community residents. Human exposure to elevated levels of chromium through pathways of ingestion, inhalation or dermal contact can cause mutagenic effects (China et al., 2020). Chromium exposure is also known to cause a wide range of physiological damage in humans. A scientific review entitled Physiological Effect of Chromium Exposure (Teklay, 2016) compiled an extensive list of adverse health effects arising from human exposure to chromium. Skin effects included irritation and corrosion, leading to chrome ulcers and long-term chromium allergic dermatitis. Additionally, respiratory systems are also affected as chromium exposure can cause perforation of the nasal septum, asthmatic bronchitis and lung cancer. Other possible impacts include damages to cardiovascular, hepatic, gastrointestinal and renal systems.

Here’s a film I came across that exposes the environmental and social costs of the production of leather in the city of Kanpur in India. The city’s reliance on leather production and exports has led to problems of toxic environmental pollution and widespread health issues in locals.

 

The pollutive impacts of leather tanning are far reaching. As consumers, we can do our part by demanding for transparent sourcing information from rock climbing companies and choosing to make more conscious purchases.

References 

China, C. R., Maguta, M. M., Nyandoro, S. S., Hilonga, A., Kanth, S. V., & Njau, K. N. (2020). Alternative tanning technologies and their suitability in curbing environmental pollution from the leather industry: A comprehensive review. Chemosphere, 254, 126804.

Teklay, A. (2016). Physiological effect of chromium exposure: A review. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. Diet. S, 7, 1-11.