Leather shoes spread environmental toxicants

07 Dec '09

6 min read

Organic compounds hazardous to health and the environment were detected in some of the shoes. As this investigation was based on such a small sample of shoes (21 pairs), it is not possible to deduce how widespread the use of these compounds is in leather and shoe manufacturing. However, our study shows that they are sometimes used, which is bad enough.

Two shoes contain azodyes, capable of forming carcinogenic amines. The concentration of a carcinogenic aromatic compound contained in one shoe, purchased in the Philippines, is more than twice the threshold value stipulated in REACH, the European Union Regulation for Registration of chemicals. The concentration in the other shoe, purchased in Sweden, was below the threshold concentrations for carcinogenic amines under REACH regulations.

A high level of the bactericide/fungicide 2,4,6-trichlorophenol was found in one shoe bought in Sweden. This compound is difficult to degradable in natural environmental systems. It is also bioaccumulative, highly toxic and is presumed to disrupt the body's production of thyroid and sex hormones. These kinds of hormone disruptions may negatively affect a developing foetus and lead to adult obesity.

The highly allergenic compound dimethylfumarate, a mould inhibitor, was found in a Swedish shoe at a concentration corresponding to the threshold limit value set by the European Union on May 1, 2009.

Low concentrations of formaldehyde, a highly allergenic and possibly carcinogenic compound, were detected in some shoes.

Tests were also conducted on some of the shoes to determine the presence of chlorinated paraffins, but none of the carcinogenic forms with short chains (as regulated by REACH) were detected. However, chlorinated paraffins with longer chains were found in some of the shoes. Chlorinated paraffins are toxic in various ways, have low biodegradability and can be bioaccumulative.

It is the opinion of the SSNC that:

- Considering the risk of oxidation of trivalent chromium into the more toxic hexavalent chromium, leather waste must be designated as hazardous waste and managed accordingly.
- Leather and shoe manufacturers should switch to chrome-free leather as soon as possible. Processes are being developed that allow for chrome-free tanning to produce high-quality leather.
- It is unacceptable that consumer products contain carcinogenic compounds, whatever the concentration level.
- There is a linear increase in the risk of cancer with the concentration of compounds that can react with DNA, such as certain aromatic amines. This means that there are no safe concentration levels.
- It is unacceptable that chemicals that can interfere with the production and distribution of hormones in the body are used in the manufacturing processes of consumer products.
- It is unacceptable that the highly toxic semi-metals and the metals arsenic, lead and mercury are intentionally added to consumer products.
- Highly allergenic compounds have no place in consumer products.
- Compounds that are not easily biodegradable and that accumulate in living organisms should be phased out from the material flows of human society.
- Politicians must assume their responsibility and improve legislation on product safety in Sweden, the EU and worldwide.
- Manufacturers who take responsibility must undertake voluntary efforts to develop alternative production methods and remove hazardous chemicals from their products.

Swedish Society for Nature Conservation

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