Curtimento do couro: revisão de literatura e determinação de cromo em amostras de couro wet blue.

Abstract

Due to the negative impacts and the need for modernization, the feasibility of adopting alternative leather tanning techniques arises, replacing the traditional use of chromium III, aiming at reducing environmental and health impacts, modernizing production lines, generating jobs and environmental preservation. The leather industry in Brazil is mainly composed of small-sized tanneries, concentrated in the south and southeast regions, with a tendency to shift to the center-west. Tanning is the most important step in the leather production process, and chromium III sulfate is widely used as a tanning agent. However, the industry faces economic and competition challenges, leading to pressure for cost reduction and the closing of markets, resulting in the migration of some industries to other regions of the country. The research adopts a quantitative-qualitative approach, seeking to understand the reasons behind the studied phenomena without worrying about numbers. A literature review and environmental impact analysis were carried out to explore the use of chromium in leather tanning, in addition to investigating the concentration of this element in the samples and the residues generated during the process. The analysis of results on chrome leather tanning addresses efficiency, safety, health and environmental impact, considering government regulations and industry standards. It is concluded that leather residues are within the legal limits and that they would not represent risks to the soil and human health. Bibliographic and experiment analysis identified that leather tanning with chromium is effective, however it generates toxic residues and poses environmental and health risks. The search for sustainable alternatives is a trend, but challenges of effectiveness and cost need to be considered, while regulatory compliance and worker safety must be ensured.