Biodegradability of “Eco-friendly” Leather using Respirometric Approach

Biodegradability is the ability of degradation of organic substances and materials into more simple inorganic substances through enzymatic activity of microorganisms. The measure of the tanning products biodegradability allows to predict the deterioration of the materials and allows to assess their impact on the environment since chromium, derived from tanning industries, could be transformed in the hexavalent stage of chromium (Cr6+) that is a suspected carcinogen. Three leather samples, have been chosen for biodegradability test, in order to evaluate differences in biodegradability and to evaluate the possibility of using alternative leathers of those based on chromium. It was possible to make a comparison between three different leather samples; among these, the highest percentage of biodegradability was found for the metal-free leather sample (84%) compared to 45% and 80% of the chrome leather and wet-white leather samples. Results highlight the possibility of using differently tanned leathers with a considerably reduced environmental impact