The leather tanneries in Vellore, Tamil Nadu pollute the local environment. The tanneries discharge untreated wastewater and air emissions containing harmful chemicals like chromium into water sources and the air. This pollution causes health problems for nearby residents like respiratory illnesses and cancer, and kills marine life. Solutions include installing wastewater and air treatment systems at tanneries, enforcing stricter environmental regulations, and restoring polluted water bodies.

1. The Leather
Tanneries of
Vellore
By Row no.2 students

2. Introduction
Tanning is the process that
converts the protein of the raw
hide or skin into a stable material
.
The most commonly used
tanning material is chromium ,
which leaves the leather, once
tanned, a pale blue color (due
to the chromium), this product is
commonly called “wet blue”.

3. Details of the location
Vellore district is a major leather-
processing centre in Tamil Nadu, with
an
estimated 50,000 tannery workers. It is
near Chennai.
The district is the top exporter of
finished leather
goods in the country.

4. Problems faced by the people
living near the tanneries [effects]
The people do not have clean drinking water.
Children and infants had significant amounts of
toxic chemicals in their body when tested by
the Government of Tamil Nadu
They have to breathe noxious fumes from the
tanneries.
They are prone to a number of diseases like
asthma, bronchitis, polyps of the upper
respiratory tract, pharyngitis, and the
enlargement of the hilar region and lymph
nodes, cancer ,etc.

6. Environmental Problems
Air Pollution
Atmospheric concentrations of
pollutants such as
chromium, oxides of nitrogen (NOX),
oxides of sulphur (SOX), particulate
matter (PM10)
and volatile organic chemicals (VOC).
It does not meet the standards of
National ambient air quality 2010.

7. Water Pollution
The waste liquids containing harmful
minerals like chromium , lead , copper,
sodium sulphide , ammonium salts,
lime,etc, are discharged directly into
water bodies.
Results in death marine organisms.
Solid wastes of chromium are dumped in
soil which dose not degrade and seep into
the water table which becomes unfit for
domestic use.

8. Causes
Improper or no treatment of waste produced
from the tanneries before being discharged into
water bodies or soil.
Lack of air purification systems .
Lack of awareness to people on safety while
working.
Lack of environment policies, monitoring by the
authorities, strict laws to maintain environmental
standards, etc.

9. Solutions
Special clothing for workers , so that they
do not come in direct contact with
chemicals and awareness to them and
the people.
Installation of air and water purification
systems.
Impose stricter regulations on
environmental standards, regular
inspections by the regulatory board , etc.
Restoration of polluted water bodies to
ensure clean supply of water to people
living nearby.

10. People should also come
forward to support the cause
only then they can have a safe
and clean environment for
them and their children to live.
The NGOs can also support the
move by the people for
expressing their problems.