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Need your advice on health concerns regarding chrome tanned leather.

high-maintenance

One of the Regulars
Messages
214
Hi guys

I recently came across the carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium used in chrome tanning process.

It is a well known fact that hexavalent chromium is a certified carcinogen (IARC class I, which means it is carcinogen without any doubt).
Some say it's okay because almost all of the chromium used during tanning process will remain trivalent chromium and extremely low percentage of them will turn into hexavalent so it's safe to use. But some studies showed that many commercial leather products (like leather gloves) on the market had an above-limit hexavalent chromium level. (Trivalent chromium is not toxic but it can be oxidized to hexavalent chromium under certain circumstances (aging, exposure to UV light or sweat, heat, etc.))

I currently have more than 10 leather jackets and 8 of them are chrome tanned. They cost an arm and a leg so selling them is not really an option. And I prefer chrome tanned leather over vegetable tanned leather so you see the dilemma here.

If you think about it, almost every upholstery, including sofa or car seat covers, is made of chrome tanned leather, so I think it is virtually impossible to be completely free of 'chrome tanned leather'. Not to mention boots we wear more than 8 hours a day.

So what do you think? Should I throw away chrome tanned pieces and replace them with veg-tanned ones?

Do you think wearing leather jackets can actually slowly kill the user?

I am hypochondriac by nature so keep that in mind.

Thanks
 
Last edited:

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
Hi guys

I recently came across the carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium used in chrome tanning process.

So what do you think? Should I throw away chrome tanned pieces and replace them with veg-tanned ones?

Do you think wearing leather jackets can actually slowly kill me?

Thanks
Yes, wearing those chrome tanned jackets can and will kill you. You should get them out of your possession. I will PM you my address and you can mail them to me. I will see that the jackets are safely disposed of. And I will even pay postage.
 

high-maintenance

One of the Regulars
Messages
214
Yes, wearing those chrome tanned jackets can and will kill you. You should get them out of your possession. I will PM you my address and you can mail them to me. I will see that the jackets are safely disposed of. And I will even pay postage.
Oh Don't get me wrong. I wear my jacket almost everyday, even wore them yesterday. But it's just that it leaves bad taste in my mouth everytime I wear them.
 
Messages
10,977
Location
SoCal
I believe that the damage is more to the environment and workers at the tannery than to the end jacket wearer.

Edit- After reading the above link and thread you posted last year, my advice is...
Relax! There are so many other things to worry about at the moment. ;)
 
Last edited:

Logician

One of the Regulars
Messages
176
Location
Canada (Montreal)
IMO it's young children working 12-15 hour shifts in Bangladesh's and India's toxic chromium tanneries, earning just a few dollars a month, and often falling ill due to the harmful chemicals, we should worry about! It is our social responsibility to sourced our chrome-tanned leathers from sustainable and certified tanneries such as LWG (Leather Working Group) certified tanneries. LWG develop and maintain a protocol that assesses the environmental compliance and performance capabilities of leather tanneries and promotes sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry. Providing a safe and healthy work environment is of fundamental importance. Employment in decent working conditions for all should be a worldwide objective. Protecting workers' health and ensuring decent working conditions in tanneries is no exception, especially for children.
tannery (2).jpg
tannery.jpg
adib.chow_.5.jpg
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Hi guys

I recently came across the carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium used in chrome tanning process.

It is a well known fact that hexavalent chromium is a certified carcinogen (IARC class I, which means it is carcinogen without any doubt).
Some say it's okay because almost all of the chromium used during tanning process will remain trivalent chromium and extremely low percentage of them will turn into hexavalent so it's safe to use. But some studies showed that many commercial leather products (like leather gloves) on the market had an above-limit hexavalent chromium level. (Trivalent chromium is not toxic but it can be oxidized to hexavalent chromium under certain circumstances (aging, exposure to UV light or sweat, heat, etc.))

I currently have more than 10 leather jackets and 8 of them are chrome tanned. They cost an arm and a leg so selling them is not really an option. And I prefer chrome tanned leather over vegetable tanned leather so you see the dilemma here.

If you think about it, almost every upholstery, including sofa or car seat covers, is made of chrome tanned leather, so I think it is virtually impossible to be completely free of 'chrome tanned leather'. Not to mention boots we wear more than 8 hours a day.

So what do you think? Should I throw away chrome tanned pieces and replace them with veg-tanned ones?

Do you think wearing leather jackets can actually slowly kill the user?

I am hypochondriac by nature so keep that in mind.

Thanks

We dealt with this already.
 

red devil

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,814
Location
London
Yep, I remembered that thread

@high-maintenance

It is all a matter of lifestyle:
- Do you smoke?
- Do you eat processed food?
- Do you drink alcohol regularly?
- Did you ever get sunburned? Or are you highly exposed to the sun?

There are so many things that can lead to cancer that you should look at before worrying about your jackets, if it really weighs on your mind that much.
 

navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,711
Location
East Java
chrome tan jacket can be washed without showing much effect, perhaps it may rinse off residual tanning chemicals. then you can add saver inert conditioner like vaseline or something.

it adds lived in looks to the jacket too, so just wash them and wear them while damp to mould the fit and shape the collar too.

kill two birds with one stone
... that sounds negative ,
Water two plants with one hose!!
 

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