Pollution from Leather Industry

Effluent Generation

Wastes generated from the tanning industry at different stages of leather processing

Effluent Constituents

Hazardous wastes from a typical tannery.

Major Pollutants

Due to the repeated processes of soaking raw hides and wringing them out, the tanning process creates large amounts of wastewater that may be contaminated with many different chemicals.

Due to the variety in the chemicals used during the tanning process, wastewater from this industry can have very different chemical makeups.

Chromium contamination and high COD are typical problems associated with tannery effluents, both of which can pose serious environment and human health risks.

Tanneries also produce large amounts of solid waste that contain chromium, including: hide scraps, skins, and excess fats which can leach into nearby soil and water, placing nearby residents at risk of contamination.