The notion of tannery , also mentioned as a tannery , refers to the place where the process that transforms the skin of a dead animal into leather is carried out. This procedure is carried out in several stages.
The first task carried out in a tannery is cleaning the skin. This involves removing hair, fat and meat with the help of chemical agents. The leather must then be tanned with tannin (vegetable tanning) or chromium (mineral tanning). The third step is retanning , which includes dyeing. Finally the skin is dried, coated and washed to obtain the final product (leather).
Thanks to all these activities carried out in the tannery, a material is obtained that can be preserved over time since it does not rot . If, however, the skin does not turn into leather, putrefaction soon begins.
It is important to mention that tanneries, due to the processes they carry out and the substances they use, are polluting . Its activity generates gas emissions and produces multiple wastes. Those who work in these places can also suffer dermatitis and other health problems from being in contact with skin and chemicals.
Specifically, we can state that the work carried out in tanneries results in a series of consequences that are adverse for the environment in general. We are referring to the following:
-During the work carried out to tan the skins, harmful substances such as hydrogen sulfide and dust are released.
-Of course, solid waste is generated such as animal fat, meat, skin trimmings...
-In the same way, we cannot forget that the gaseous emission that is the result of working with ammonia also occurs. Emissions that, in addition to being annoying due to the smell they give off, can harm humans and the natural environment.
-No less relevant is that they can give rise to a series of wastewater that, among other things, is full of feces, urine and substances that come from both the animal itself and the chemicals used.
To all this we must add that there is a risk that, due to some problem or unforeseen event, the workers who carry out their work in a tannery could see their health harmed. And coming into contact with certain gases or liquid products can cause them to suffer conditions, especially in their skin. Hence, it is essential that they carry out their tasks with the necessary clothing and equipment to prevent these situations, such as masks, glasses and even appropriate gloves.
Many non-governmental organizations, in fact, have denounced tanneries for polluting the environment . An investigation by Greenpeace in Argentina , for example, warns that nearly 50% of the pollution that affects the Matanza-Riachuelo basin comes from tanneries in the area, which use about 500 kilograms of chemical agents to process one ton of rawhide. .