What is Chromium 6 and the connection to Howes Leather at Frankford

 

Environmental regulations also played a role in the decline of the leather tanning industry. The tanning process produces a number of pollutants, including chromium and formaldehyde. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to impose stricter regulations on the leather tanning industry in the late 1970s. These regulations made it more expensive for US companies to operate, and they made it difficult for them to compete with foreign companies that were not subject to the same regulations.

 Chromium 6, also known as hexavalent chromium, is a highly toxic metal that can cause a variety of health problems, including cancer. Chromium 6 is used in a variety of industrial processes, including leather tanning.

Howes Leather Company used chromium 6 in its tanning process for many years. The company discharged chromium 6-contaminated wastewater into the Gauley River, which is a major tributary of the New River. The New River is a popular destination for fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities.

In 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached a settlement with Howes Leather Company for violating the Clean Water Act. The settlement required Howes Leather Company to pay a $2.5 million fine and to implement measures to reduce its discharge of chromium 6 into the Gauley River.

The EPA has also been working to clean up the chromium 6 contamination in the Gauley River. In 2020, the EPA completed a $16.5 million project to remove chromium 6-contaminated sediment from the river.

The chromium 6 contamination at Howes Leather Company is a reminder of the dangers of industrial pollution. It is also a reminder of the importance of environmental regulations in protecting our health and safety.

Here are some of the health effects of chromium 6 exposure:

• Lung cancer
• Nasal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Skin cancer
• Kidney damage
• Reproductive problems
• Birth defects
• Asthma
• Allergic reactions

If you are concerned about your exposure to chromium 6, you can talk to your doctor. There are tests that can detect chromium 6 in your blood and urine. If you have been exposed to chromium 6, your doctor may recommend medical monitoring or other treatment.