A Chemical Analysis of Dust in the Leather Industry with Reference to the Presence of Possible Oncogenic Agents

The present work is aimed at finding the chemicals that are known to have carcinogenic potential in the dust from the environs of leather industrial workers and to test the biological effects of dust as a potential carcinogen or co-carcinogen. Leather dust extracts (LDE) have a carcinogenic effect, which is less than that of the carcinogen DMBA. LDE also has a co-carcinogenic effect. More carcinomas and skin changes were observed in animals after one painting of DMBA when followed by LDE, as compared with those treated with DMBA followed by solvent only. LDE and DMBA + LDE cause changes in the bronchial mucosa that were not observed in DMBA alone. Animals painted with LDE showed hepatic cell necrosis and proliferation. Known carcinogens and co-carcinogens are chemically identifiable in LDE.