Environmental and Health Crisis in Kanpur Due to Tanneries

Context: Recently on orders of NGT UP Govt. conducted health checkups of people living in Kanpur & Fatehpur districts to assess the health impacts of pollution caused by tanneries.

Health Impacts of Tanneries

• Tanneries are known for their use of toxic chemicals in the leather processing industry, leading to serious health hazards for workers and nearby residents.
• The medical tests revealed high levels of mercury and chromium in the blood samples of residents, requiring urgent medical intervention.
• The primary pollutants include chromium, mercury, lead, arsenic, sulfur compounds and ammonia.

Environmental Impact of Tanneries

Water Pollution

• Tanneries discharge untreated effluents containing chromium, sulfides, and organic matter into rivers and groundwater.
• Example: Kanpur’s tannery waste pollutes the Ganga River, making water unsafe for drinking, agriculture, and aquatic life.

Soil Contamination

• Chromium and arsenic seep into agricultural fields, making soil toxic and infertile.
• Contaminated crops pose health risks to consumers.

Air Pollution

Tanneries release hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and particulate matter into the air, causing:

• Acid rain (damaging crops and water bodies).
• Respiratory illnesses among nearby populations

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