Abstract

The influence of relative humidity of the environment on the level of Cr(VI) in chrome-tanned leather was studied. The experiments were carried out as follows: a leather sample was cut into pieces which were stored in different relative humidities followed by determination of Cr(VI). Subsequently, these same pieces were stored at different relative humidities followed by re-determination of the Cr(VI) levels.

To confirm the influence of relative humidity, pieces of leather soaked in dichromate solution were dried and then subjected to similar treatment as was given to the earlier leather samples. The results showed that there is a close relationship between the stored humidity and Cr(VI) levels in leather. The higher the relative humidity, the lower the level of Cr(VI) and vice versa.