Leather and leather goods represent a large portion of Bangladesh's yearly export revenue. Many tanneries in Dhaka are still operating with little technology or machinery in residential areas beside housing and food processing plants. It is one of the most toxic industries in Bangladesh posing great health risks to workers and residents living in the area. During the tanning process, the animal skin is treated with a number of toxic chemicals. Workers usually work without protective clothing. The liquid waste is often disposed of untreated into sewage lines and waterways leaking into the ground water and rivers of Dhaka .
About 80% of all leather production in the world comes from third world countries. Leather and leather goods represent a large portion of Bangladesh's yearly export revenue.
There are about over 200 tanneries in the city of Dhaka. Many are still operating with little technology or machinery. Majority of them operate in residential areas beside residential housing and food processing plants.
Many of the owners of the tanneries have little education and do not realize how toxic their procedures are. In fact many of the owners and their family members work alongside other workers in the tanneries.
The tanning industry is one of the most toxic industries in Bangladesh posing great health risks to workers and residents who live in the area. During the tanning process, the animal skin is treated with a number of toxic chemicals such as chromium, manganese, lead, sulphur, and ammonia. The resulting liquid waste is often disposed of untreated into sewage lines and waterways leaking into the ground water and rivers of Dhaka .
It is rare for workers at these highly toxic production areas to be wearing protective clothing. In fact, they are usually wearing just a toga around the waist as they are handling the leather skins soaked with acids and dyes with their bare hands
Workers processing the rawhides with toxic chemicals are usually working in poorly ventilated and poorly lit tanneries. Often the only light and ventilation coming into the work area are through cracks and openings in the walls.