The number of potentially exposed workers to leather dust is estimated at 310,000 across all EU countries . The main route of occupational exposure is the respiratory tract (inhalation of dust). Leather dust is classified as a human carcinogen by IARC (Group 1). It is not classified under the European CLP Regulation as it is a substance generated by the processes used in leatherworking. Exposure to this dust causes cancer of the nasal cavity and cancer of the sinuses.
Where risks occur
Leather dust is mainly generated during mechanical operations on dry leather. This occurs primarily during the manufacture of goods (footwear, leather goods) but also during their repair (shoe repair). Finishing operations (sanding, grinding, abrasion, cutting, shaving, buffing, skiving) generate the most dust. Exposure is lower in tanneries and leather processing plants as these processes take place in damp environments. The most exposed workers therefore include leather goods makers, cobblers, footwear operators, finishing workers and cutters/trimmers.
More about the substance
Leather dust is a complex mixture of collagen fibres (animal proteins), tanning residues (plant tannins and chromium salts – chromium(III) and possibly chromium(VI)), dyes or pigments, and finishing agents (resins and solvents).
The term ‘leather’ refers to the product obtained from animal skin through tanning or impregnation that preserves the natural structure of the skin’s fibres. Materials derived from plants or petrochemicals (or a mixture of both) or from any source other than animals cannot legally bear the designation ‘leather’.It should be noted that the carcinogenic effect recognised by the IARC is linked to the dust itself, i.e. to the solid particles resulting from the mechanical processing of tanned leather, and not to the potential presence in this dust of well-known carcinogenic substances such as chromium VI (on chromium VI see the specific fact sheet here).
No occupational exposure limit values are currently available for leather dust, either at national or European level.
Health risks that may occur
The main route of exposure to leather dust for workers is via the respiratory tract (inhalation of dust). In the short term, adverse health effects include respiratory tract irritation, rhinitis, eye irritation and coughing. In the long term, exposure to leather dust can cause ENT cancers (sinuses, nasal cavities) and may exacerbate respiratory conditions (chronic bronchitis).
Cancers of the nasal cavities and sinuses linked to leather dust can be recognised as occupational cancers in some EU countries (France, Germany, Spain, Italy), but the conditions for such recognition vary from one country to another.
The latency period before the onset of cancer can be relatively long (between 10 and 40 years).What you can do
Leather dust is generated by the processes used to work animal hides (tanning, cutting, abrasion, sanding, etc.) and cannot therefore be avoided. To limit exposure to dust, work must therefore be carried out in a closed system or, if this is not feasible, each workstation must be equipped with collective protection measures (encapsulation of equipment, dust extraction systems). These systems must be maintained regularly to ensure their effectiveness. The number of workers exposed must also be limited. As a last resort, if dust levels for certain tasks cannot be significantly reduced using the measures mentioned above, you may use respiratory protective equipment. In this event, you must be trained in their use and a procedure for managing this equipment must be drawn up and implemented. As the presence of carcinogenic substances on work surfaces has been demonstrated, regular cleaning of surfaces and rigorous hygiene (cleaning of work clothes and hands) are essential in order to limit the resuspension of dust.
References:
- IARC – Arsenic, metals, fibres, and dusts. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Volume 100C. 2012.
- Savary B. & Emili A. Exposition professionnelle dans la filière française du travail du cuir (2010-2024) ; Health & Safety at Work, No. 281, December 2025
