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PubMed2006

Layers of leather: The identity formation of leathermen as a process of transforming meanings of masculinity.

Leathermen form a gay male subculture that eroticizes leather dress and symbols. This investigation examined the relationship of participants' leather identity to their gender and sexual identities. In addition, the participants described their process of leather identity development, and its meanings and purposes. Six self-identified leathermen participated in semi-structured interviews that were subjected to a grounded-theory analysis. The analysis suggested that leathermen develop a unique form of masculinity, integrating care and vulnerability with an aesthetic of heightened masculine appearance. Flexible interactional scripts allow for gendered signs to be enacted, designating a social status that is not recognized by the mainstream gay community. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research on gay male masculinity, gay community, sexual identity formation, and internalized homophobia.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Mortality of chrome leather tannery workers and chemical exposures in tanneries.

A retrospective mortality analysis was conducted in a cohort of 9,365 individuals employed as of 1940 in two chrome leather tanneries in the United States and followed to the end of 1982. Vital status as of the closing date was determined for over 95% of the cohort. Potential hazardous workplace exposures varied with department and included nitrosamines, chromate pigments, benzidine-based direct dyestuffs, formaldehyde, leather dust, and aromatic organic solvents. Mortality from all causes combined was lower than expected for each tannery, the standardized mortality ratio being 81 for one and 93 for the other. Deaths from cancer of each site, including the lung, were also lower than expected compared to those of either the population of the United States or of local state rates. A significant excess of deaths was observed, however, due to accidental causes in one tannery and cirrhosis of the liver, suicide, and alcoholism in the other. These excesses did not appear to be causally associated with occupational exposures. The findings of this study are consistent with those of the only other mortality investigation of leather tannery employees.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed2006

A cohort mortality study of leather tanners in Tuscany, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Work in leather tanning may involve exposure to a wide range of chemicals. Some of these are carcinogens or suspected carcinogens. Increased risk for a number of cancers have been reported, although there are considerable inconsistencies between studies. The present study investigates the mortality of leather tanners in Tuscany, Italy. METHODS: Tanneries were selected from the 1996 Valdarno Inferiore Tanneries Census and were in operation since December 31, 1970. Employees were followed until December 31, 1998 through company records, and the National and Regional Death Index. Demographic and work history data were abstracted from company payrolls. Regional mortality rates were used to calculate Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR). Analyses were completed for the overall cohort (men and women) and for men who ever worked as of finisher, chrome tanners, and vegetable tanner (only men). RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 4,874 workers (4,150 males and 724 females) employed in 92 tanneries active in 1996 and operating on December 31, 1970. Ascertainment of vital status and cause of death were completed for all individuals by the end of follow-up, December 31, 1998. Males showed increases for cancer of the endocrine glands (SMR 5.67, 4 observed (obs), 90% Confidence Intervals (CI) 195-1,308), blood diseases (SMR 3.29, 4 obs, 90% CI 112-753), mental disorders (SMR 1.95, 6 obs, 90% CI 85-385), violence and accidents (SMR 1.30, 54 obs, 90% CI 102-163). Mortality from myeloid leukemia was increased in males (SMR 2.08, 5 obs, 90% CI 82-437) and in females (SMR 5.99, 2 obs, 90% CI 106-1,887). One death from nasal cancer was observed versus 0.2 expected. Mortality from lung cancer was increased among finishers (SMR 1.45, 19 obs, 90% CI 95-212), an increase was observed also for bladder cancer (SMR 1.25, 2 obs, 90% CI 22-393) and pancreatic cancer (SMR 1.20, 2 obs, 90% CI 21-379). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms previous observations among tanners of increased mortality from lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancer. Noteworthy are the increased mortality from myeloid leukemia together with the new findings of an increased mortality from endocrine glands tumors, blood diseases, and psychiatric disorders which should be considered with caution because of the small number of cases and the novelty of the observation.

Accidents↗

PubMed1979

Scanning electron microscope studies of some normal and diseased conditions of mammalian skin as revealed in leather manufacture.

Sheep, goat and bovine skins, as leather, were examined. The surface contours of dermal response to sunburn, facial eczema, rape scald, and demodicosis are illustrated. In sunburn, demodicosis and rape scald, finger-like and ridge pattern projections had developed. In the photo-sensitive condition of rape scald and facial eczema distension was apparent, and in addition in rape scald reactions of contrasting nature involving hair follicles indicated a considerable disorientation of the skin. The transition from str. basale to str. corneum in bovine epidermis has been examined in leather from which the epidermis had unintentionally been incompletely removed in the course of manufacture, during attack on the keratinous tissue by hydrosulphide ions at high hydroxyl ion concentration. A "pore" presumably related to the position of the nucleus was observed in the outer surface of each of the cells in each layer exposed by the attack. The walls of the basal and adjacent cells appeared remarkably sturdy. As judged from the basal cells the intercellular cement (cell coating) disappeared before the cell wall degraded, but intercellular bridges remained clearly visible in the prickle cell layer, while towards the exterior, adjacent cell walls appeared more closely knit and the str. corneum (residues of which were observed around the follicles) appeared to lie in sheets. Discrete and fibrous cell components were exposed. At the latest degree of degradation observed in the basal cells the wall had reduced to a fibrous network.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Acute lung injury induced by a commercial leather conditioner.

Following a formulation change, a leather conditioner was involved in a 1992 nationwide outbreak of respiratory illness. We investigated the composition and toxicity of the conditioner produced before (previous product) and after (new product) the disease outbreak. The new product induced tachypnea, pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage, and sporadic deaths in exposed guinea pigs and rats. Ultrastructurally, these changes were associate with direct pulmonary cytotoxicity characterized by necrosis of alveolar type I cells and alveolar septal interstitial edema. Chemical analyses suggested major alterations in the fluorohydrocarbon constituents in the new formulation of the leather conditioner. While these alterations could not be specifically identified, they appeared to include changes from fluoralkanes to fluoroalkenes, fluorophenyl, and/or fluoroalcohol compounds. Changes in solvent composition were consistent with traces of 2-butoxyethanol and isomers of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, and additional C10-C12 alkanes. In this study, we demonstrated the toxicity of the new product in laboratory animals. Some of the altered constituents of the new product have been identified and are potential candidates for additional investigations to identify specific etiologic agents.

Acetates↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hair, serum, and urine chromium concentrations in former employees of the leather tanning industry.

In this study, we measured concentrations of Cr in hair, serum, and urine of men who were previously employed in the leather tanning industry. Concentrations of Cr in hair and serum were significantly lower than corresponding values obtained during their employment and were comparable to levels obtained for controls in a previous study. These results suggest that Cr III accumulated from employment in the leather tanning industry does not result in long-term elevation of Cr concentrations in the body.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Exposure to solvents in a synthetic leather manufacturing plant.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure of synthetic leather workers to dimethylformamide (DMF), epichlorohydrin (ECH) and toluene, in a manufacturing plant. The correlation between biological and environmental monitoring for DMF was also investigated. Environmental monitoring of the three solvents included personal and area sampling based on time of day (morning and afternoon). Urine samples were taken at the end of the shift and urinary N-methylformamide (NMF) was then used to biologically monitor DMF levels. Results for solvent concentrations based on air sampling were considerably higher in area than in personal sampling. Of 41 area samples, 15 (36.6%) and five (12.2%) exceeded permissible exposure levels for DMF and ECH, respectively, compared with 22 (28.6%) and three (3.9%) based on 77 personal samples. Overall, urinary NMF concentrations were lower than the Biological Exposure Index (BEI) suggested by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). A significant correlation (r = 0.32; P < 0.05) was found between environmental and biological monitoring. Even though urinary NMF concentration was within permissible levels for Taiwan, the authors recommend that immediate measures be taken to decrease DMF and ECH concentrations in synthetic leather manufacturing plants.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Biodegradability of tannin-containing wastewater from leather industry.

Tannins occur commonly in the wastewaters from forestry, plant medicine, paper and leather industries. The treatment of this kind of wastewaters, including settling and biodegradation, is usually difficult because tannins are highly soluble in water and would inhibit the growth of microorganisms in activated sludge. The objective of this study is to investigate biodegradability of tannin-containing wastewaters, so as to characterize the pollution properties of such wastewaters and provide a reference for their biological treatment in wastewater treatment plants. The research was typified by using the wastewater collected from vegetable tanning process in leather industry. A model was developed to describe the activated sludge process, and the biodegradation kinetics of vegetable tanning wastewater (VET wastewater) was studied. It was found that the biodegradability of tannin-containing wastewater varies heavily with the content of tannins in wastewater. The biodegradation of VET wastewater with tannin content around 4,900 mg/l occurred inefficiently due to the inhibition of tannins to the activated sludge process, and only 34.7% of biodegradation extent was reached in 14 days of incubation. The optimal biodegradability of VET wastewater was observed when its tannin content was diluted to 490 mg/l, where the COD and tannin removals reached 51.3% and 45.1% respectively in 6 days. Hence, it is suggested that a proper control of tannin content is necessary to achieve an effective biodegradation of tannin-containing wastewaters in wastewater treatment plants.

Kinetics↗

PubMed2006

Assessing the impact of leather industry to water quality in the Aojing watershed in Zhejiang Province, China.

The development of the leather industry in the Aojiang watershed of Zhejiang province increased the release of waste water. In the waste water, ammonium nitrogen (NH(+) (4)-N) and germanium (Ge) are the main pollutants. In recent years, literature has documented that the intake of high concentrations of NH(+) (4)-N and Ge harms human health and biological species. This paper focuses on assessing the trends of NH(+) (4)-N and Ge concentrations in the released waste water in Aojiang watershed and on understanding their relationships with the released waste water using regression and correlation statistics. The paper also utilizes the integrated pollution index to evaluate the water quality in the watershed. Preliminary results show that, from 1992 to 1998, the concentrations of NH(+) (4)-N and total Ge increased 13 and 14 times, respectively, and they decreased somewhat after 1998. The concentrations of NH(+) (4)-N and total Ge are positively correlated to the amount of released waste water. These concentrations of NH(+) (4)-N and Ge, respectively, exceed 12 and 3 times, of the water standards. The water quality in the watershed degraded from Type III in 1992 to over Type V in 2003 when they were compared with the national water quality standards. It appeared that the pollution had positive correlation with leather industry production. The degraded water has no doubt affected human health and the ecosystem health. These results can provide scientific information for the local government to reasonably adjust the industry structure and reduce the pollution to protect the environment.

China↗

PubMed1991

Leather tanning workers: chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes and micronuclei in exfoliated cells in urine.

A cytogenetic study was performed on workers of a leather tanning industry. Two different approaches for the biological monitoring of the individuals were used: chromosomal aberration analysis in peripheral lymphocytes and the frequency of micronucleated cells exfoliated in urine samples. 26 men working in the sections considered to present a greater risk were included in the study. Controls were 20 men that were not exposed to chemicals. The percentage of abnormal cells was higher in workers than in controls. Smokers showed higher values of chromosome breaks than non-smokers in both groups. These differences were not statistically significant. The percentage of cells with chromatid and chromosome gaps in workers and controls was different (p less than 0.01). A slight but not significant increase in the mean percentage of micronuclei was observed in the exposed group. We conclude that exposure to chemicals during leather tanning did not produce genotoxic effects measured by chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes and micronuclei in urine in this group of workers.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Leather corset for the treatment of camptocormia: 31 cases].

INTRODUCTION: Camptocormia is an acquired postural disease leading to wide-ranging emerging rachidian kyphosis. Kyphosis can be observed when the patient stands up, walks or sits. The functional impact can be significant. When the etiology is better known, personalized treatments are often deceitful. Physical therapy and orthesis may be proposed. Classical antikyphotic orthesis for the trunk are usually not well tolerated and are quickly abandoned. We proposed the use of traditional leather orthesis for such cases. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This retrospective study undertaken between April 2001 and April 2003 included 31 patients with camptocormia for whom orthesis was indicated. Eight patients benefited from use of a classical lumbar belt. All assessed the ortheses as not satisfactory. In 27 patients, leather orthesis was prescribed, and 20 used it, 19 of whom answered a questionnaire assessing functional benefits as follows: the patient is well or very well straightened, suffers less from trunk pain, suffers less or no longer when standing up without assistance during a long period, has less or no difficulty to walk, feels less or no longer tired because of the effort to stay straight without the orthesis, does not resent the alteration of social life because of the orthesis, and assesses active life as satisfactory. RESULTS: The average time to wear the othesis was 33 months. Sixty-eight percent of patients wore it at least 9 hours a day; 84% were able to put it on by themselves. The respiratory and cutaneous consequences were judged good and digestive and urinary tolerance adequate. With the orthesis, 74% of the patients responded positively to 5 of the 7 functional areas assessed. Why patients do not wear ortheses is often explained by the failure to obtain a satisfactory straight position and/or an ankle flexion, associated significant pathology, lack of motivation and difficulty in putting the orthesis on alone.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Toxicity of leather tanning wastewater effluents in sea urchin early development and in marine microalgae.

This study was designed to investigate the composition and the toxicity of leather tanning wastewater and conditioned sludge collected at the leather tanning wastewater treatment plant (CODISO) located in Solofra, Avellino (Southern Italy). Samples were analyzed for their conventional parameters (COD, TSS, chromium and ammonia) and for metal content. Effluent samples included raw wastewater, and samples collected following coagulation/flocculation process and biological treatment. A set of toxicity endpoints were tested using sea urchin and marine microalgal bioassays by evaluating acute embryotoxicity, developmental defects, changes in sperm fertilization success and transmissible damage from sperm to the offspring, and changes in algal growth rate. Dose-related toxicity to sea urchin embryogenesis and sperm fertilization success was exerted by effluent or sludge samples according to the following rank: conditioned sludge > coagulated effluent > or = raw influent >> effluent from biological treatment. Offspring quality was not affected by sperm exposure to any wastewater or to sludge samples. Algal growth was inhibited by raw or coagulated effluent to a similar extent and, again, the effluent from the biological treatment resulted in a decreased toxicity. The results suggest that coagulated effluent and conditioned sludge result in higher toxicity than raw influent in sea urchin embryos and sperm, whereas the biological wastewater treatment of coagulated effluent, in both sea urchins and algae, cause a substantial improvement of wastewater quality. Hence a final biological wastewater treatment should be operated to minimize any environmental damage from tannery wastewater.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Sperm function in workers exposed to N,N-dimethylformamide in the synthetic leather industry.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether occupational exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) for men has adverse effects on sperm function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A synthetic leather factory in Taiwan. PATIENT(S): Twelve DMF-exposed workers in a synthetic leather factory and 8 socioeconomically matched control workers from another non-DMF-exposed manufacturing plant in the vicinity were recruited. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Breathing-zone monitoring of DMF exposure covering the full work shift was implemented on each participant. Urine specimens were collected from each worker immediately after their work shift in parallel with environmental sampling. Environmental DMF and urinary N-methylformamide (NMF) levels were measured by gas chromatograph. Analysis of semen samples was performed to measure semen volume, sperm concentration, morphology, and motility in accordance with World Health Organization criteria. RESULT(S): Both conventional microscopy and computer-assisted semen analysis showed that sperm motility in DMF-exposed group was significantly reduced from that in controls. Motility parameters were related to urinary NMF in a dose-response manner but were not related to airborne DMF. CONCLUSION(S): Workers occupationally exposed to DMF could be at risk of sperm motility perturbation. The responsible toxicant for the alterations of sperm function could be the active NMF metabolite instead of DMF, but this conclusion warrants a further complete investigation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Assessing the impact of leather industries on the quality of water discharged into the East China Sea from Wenzhou Watersheds.

Ammonium nitrogen and total germanium are among the main pollutants in the wastewater discharged from the leather industry. The intake of high concentrations of ammonium nitrogen and/or total germanium harms human health and biological species, as is well documented in literature. This paper focuses on assessing the trends of ammonium nitrogen and total germanium concentrations through time in two watersheds (Aojiang and Oujiang) in the Wenzhou metropolitan area of Zhejiang Province and their relationships with the released wastewater using regression and correlation statistics. The paper also utilizes the integrated pollution index to evaluate water quality in the two watersheds. Preliminary results show that, from 1992 to 1998 in the Aojing watershed, the concentrations of ammonium nitrogen and total germanium increased 13 and 14 times, respectively, decreasing somewhat after 1998, while between 1992 and 1997 in the Oujiang watershed, the concentrations increased, then decreased after 1997. The concentrations of ammonium nitrogen and total germanium are positively related to the amount of released wastewater. The concentrations of ammonium nitrogen and total germanium exceeded water standards 12 and 3 times, respectively, in Pingyang county of the Aojiang watershed, 14 and 3.3 times in Lucheng District of the Oujiang watershed, and 14 and 3.8 times in the Ouhai Oujiang watershed, respectively. In Pingyang county of the Aojiang watershed, the water quality degraded from Type III in 1992 to over Type V in 2003, and in the Oujiang watershed, the water quality degraded from Type II to over Type IV in 1999, when they were compared with the water quality standards. The water quality slightly improved in 2003 for the Oujiang watershed. It appears that pollution did have a direct positive correlation with leather industry production in the Pingyang Aojing watershed, while there was a negative correlation between the two in the Oujiang watershed. In these two watersheds, the integrated pollution index did not appear to relate to population dynamics and agricultural production. This paper also discusses the current new methodologies and approaches adopted nationally and internationally to reduce the contaminants and purify the environment for maintaining a sustainable and healthier environment in Wenzhou.

China↗

PubMed2002

Synthesis of chromium-containing pigments from chromium recovered from leather waste.

Cobalt-chromite green and chrome-tin pink pigments have been prepared from chromium extracted from leather shavings produced as a waste product of the leather-tanning industry. The alkaline agent (NaOH, CaO, MgO, NH4OH) used in the extraction process influences the nature of the final product. The effect of the NH4OH:CaO ratio on the final product in the case of cobalt-chromite green was examined. The pigments obtained were characterized by FT-IR and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Colour measurements were compared with those recorded from materials prepared from pure Cr2O3. The leaching of Cr(VI) from the materials was examined by UV spectroscopy.

Chromium↗

PubMed1982

[Alveolitis after inhalation of leather-impregnation spray (author's transl)].

After inhalation of leather-impregnation sprays in a confined space five patients developed acute and severe symptoms of alveolitis, with disorders of ventilation and diffusion as well as marked radiological changes. In one case without any treatment pulmonary fibrosis developed. In the other four immediate administrations of steroids produced complete healing. Inhalation of small amounts of leather-impregnation spray produced no changes in pulmonary function tests in volunteers. There were no similarities with forms of alveolitis produced by other noxious inhalation agents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Consumption of wine stored in leather wine bottles and incidence of gastric cancer.

The authors conducted a survey among participants of a large-scale case-control study to evaluate a possible association between consumption of wine in leather bottles and incidence of gastric cancer. There were 59 cases and 53 controls in the study. The results suggest that some of the components of the complex mixture (i.e., tar) used in the proofing of leather wine bottles might dissolve in the wine and participate in the etiology of gastric cancer. Nevertheless, the results should be confirmed in an independent study.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dimethylformamide-induced liver damage among synthetic leather workers.

Prevalence of liver injury associated with dimethylformamide (DMF) exposure was determined. Medical examinations, liver function tests, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) determinations were performed on 183 of 204 (76%) employees of a synthetic leather factory. Air concentrations of solvents were measured with personal samplers and gas chromatography. The concentration of DMF in air to which each worker was exposed was categorized. High exposure concentrations of DMF (i.e., 25-60 ppm) were significantly associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (ALT greater than or equal to 35 IU/l), a result that did not change even after stratification by hepatitis B carrier status. Modeling by logistic regression demonstrated that exposure to high concentrations of DMF was associated with an elevated ALT (p = .01), whereas hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was slightly but independently associated with an elevated ALT (p = .07). In those workers who had normal ALT values, there occurred still significantly higher mean ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, especially among those who were not HBsAg carriers. A significant association existed between elevated CPK levels and exposure to DMF. However, an analysis of the CPK isoenzyme among 143 workers did not reveal any specific damage to muscles. This outbreak of liver injury among synthetic leather workers is ascribed to DMF. It is recommended that the occupational standard for DMF and its toxicity among HBsAg carriers be evaluated further.

Adult↗