Substitution of toluene, benzene and cyclohexane in the treatment of leather for footwear manufacture

In a shoe manufacturing company located in the region of La Rioja, Spain two solvents were used for the tanning of leather for shoe manufacturing.

Substitution was carried out because several workers were affected by a series of health problems which included vomiting, dizziness and headaches. The most alarming symptoms were epileptic seizures suffered by two workers after 10 hours of continuous work with solvents in a tanning process.

The hazardous products were substituted by a solvent where the only harmful component is acetone. The company also decided to order pre-tanned leather to reduce the use of chemical products.