Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chromate Testing in Leather: EN ISO 17075

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Metal Allergy

Abstract

Most of the leathers produced nowadays are chrome tanned. Leather needs to be preserved for future use, which is achieved by the tanning process. Usually chromium(III) salts are used as tanning agents; therefore, chrome-tanned leathers always contain some chromium(III). Under certain conditions, one of the most potent contact allergens, chromium(VI), can be generated in chrome-tanned leathers out of chromium(III). Some states (e.g., EU) have enacted regulations on chromium(VI). Leather articles containing chromium(VI) are not marketable there. Nearly each week, recalls of chromium(VI) containing articles are published in RAPEX, a European Internet platform for warnings of dangerous products. The following chapter deals with the different test methods that are available for the determination of chromium and explains their indications. Legal regulations specify that chromium(VI) should not be detectable using the detection method EN ISO 17075. Several test parameters are available to characterize the chromium content of leather and the chromium exposure this represents: to check if a leather is chrome tanned or chrome-free tanned, the test on total chromium is performed; analysis on soluble chromium simulates the exposure to chromium(III) during wear situations; and heat aging and UV light aging simulate stress conditions for the leather.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung. Gesundheitliche Bewertung von Chrom (VI)-Verbindungen in Lederwaren; 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hedberg YS, Lidén C, Wallinder O. Chromium released from leather – I: exposure conditions that governs the release of chromium(III) and chromium(VI). Contact Dermatitis. 2015;72:206–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Font J, Ruis A, Marsal A, Sánchez D, Hauber C, Tommaselli M. Prevention of chromium (VI) formation by improving the tannery process. (EU-CRAFT project GIST-CT-2002-50264, Chrom6less). Leather. 2006;208:18.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tegtmeyer D, Kleban M. Chromium and leather research – a balanced view of scientific facts and figures. IULTCS. IUR-1. 2013:1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Anderie I, Schulte K. Relationship in the formation of hexavalent chrome [Cr(VI)] (part 2). World Leather. 2012:27–32.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Meyndt R, Germann HP. Relationship in the formation of hexavalent chrome [Cr(VI)]. World Leather. 2011:14–17.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mathiason F, Lidén C, Hedberg YS. Chromium released from leather – II: the importance of environmental parameters. Contact Dermatitis. 2015;72:275–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Meyndt R, Germann HP, Schulte K, Anderie I. Untersuchungen zur Ermittlung der Zusammenhänge von löslichem Gesamtchrom sowie hauteigenen Inhaltsstoffen mit der Chrom(VI) -Bildung in Leder und Lederartikeln. DFG-gefördertes Forschungsprojekt IGF-FV-Nr. 15845 N, Lederinstitut Gerberschule Reutlingen und Prüf- und Forschungsinstitut Pirmasens; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung. BfR empfiehlt, Allergie auslösendes Chrom (VI) in Lederprodukten streng zu begrenzen. Stellungnahme Nr. 017; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  10. EU 301/2014 COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 301/2014 of 25 March 2014 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards chromium VI compounds.

    Google Scholar 

  11. EG 1907/2006 REGULATION (EC) No 1907/2006 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Dänish Ministry of the Environment. Survey and health assessment (sensitisation only) of chromium in leather shoes. Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products. 2011; 112.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bregnbak D, Johansen JD, Jellesen MS, Zachariae C, Thyssen JP. Chromium(VI) release from leather and metals can be detected with a diphenylcarbazide spot test. Contact Dermatitis. 2015;73:281–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Hedberg YS, Lidén C. Chromium(III) and chromium(VI) release from leather during 8 months simulated use. Contact Dermatitis. 2016;75:82–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Knauer M. Wie zuverlässig ist der Chrom (VI)- Schnelltest? PFI online Newsletter des Prüf- und Forschungsinstitute e.V. December issue; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  16. CADS. The guide for leather manufactures – recommendations for the avoidance of chromium(VI) formation. Cooperation at DSI – Deutsches Schuhinstitut; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hansen MB, Menné T, Johansen JD. Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in leather and elicitation of eczema. Contact Dermatitis. 2006;54:278–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Schulte K. Chrom ist nicht gleich Chrom. Schuhmarkt. 2014;10:24–5.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Tegtmeyer D, Rabe V. Modern chrome tanning is safe. International Leather Maker. 2014:18–19.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Zschimmer und Schwarz. Preventing chrom VI formation in leather. Science and Innovation. 2014;32.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Thyssen JP, Jellesen MS, Møller P, Menné T, Johansen JD. Allergic chromium dermatitis from wearing ‘chromium-free’ footwear. Contact Dermatitis. 2014;70(3):185–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Nickolaus G, Schulte K. Abschlussbericht zum AiF-Vorhaben Nr. 11599 N, Untersuchungen zur Entstehung und Vermeidung von Chrom(VI)-Verbindungen im Verlauf der Lederverarbeitung, PFI, Pirmasens; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prüf- und Forschungsinstitut Pirmasens e.V., Marie-Curie-Str. 19, 66953, Pirmasens, Germany

    Ines Anderie & Kerstin Schulte

Authors
  1. Ines Anderie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kerstin Schulte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kerstin Schulte .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, CA, USA

    Jennifer K Chen

  2. Department of Dermatology and Allergy Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark

    Jacob P. Thyssen

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Anderie, I., Schulte, K. (2018). Chromate Testing in Leather: EN ISO 17075. In: Chen, J., Thyssen, J. (eds) Metal Allergy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58503-1_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58503-1_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-58502-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-58503-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation