| Abstract [eng] |
Fur industry is one of the most polluting industries across world. The industry use several chemicals right from un-hairing of raw skins/hides till finishing of leather products. Currently, many fur industries practice conventional chrome tanning methods. The chemicals used for the purpose of leather making, is often, considered to be harmful and toxic to human health and environment based on their properties. In most of the case, the substances that are used for the tanning purposes is listed under EU's priority substances list. Moreover, the industry also produce huge amount of effluents and wastes during each stages of the production. The improper treated wastes imposes severe environmental and human health risks in long term. As recommended by European legislation, REACH regulation (EC 1907/2006), the substances of very high concern, to be replaced with non-toxic or less hazardous substances of same functionality. By reviewing the current situation of the industry, the SHVC was shortlisted and comparing the shortlisted substances with the identified company, Chromium compound was selected for further study. Chromium compounds, that is listed under REACH legislation has potential CMR properties, so, it is mandatory to look for alternative substances of same purpose. The study focus on the finding an alternative substances to replace with Chromium compounds. The identified alternatives was assessed with various criteria such as hazard, legal requirements, CMR properties and so on, to match with functionality and purpose. The identified alternative was evaluated for environmental impact using Life Cycle Assessment. A comparative evaluation was carried out for both conventional chrome tanning and also identified alternative tanning agent. |
