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In a heartbreaking incident at the Kolkata Leather Complex, three sanitation workers lost their lives after reportedly being exposed to the toxic waste generated by the leather industry. As per reports, the workers were attempting to clear a clogged manhole at a tannery when one of them fell into the hazardous effluent. In a desperate attempt to save him, the other two jumped in—only to succumb to the poisonous fumes. This tragic loss of life is yet another grim reminder of the human cost of leather production.
This is not the first time the Kolkata Leather Complex has witnessed such a devastating event. In 2015, three workers died after inhaling toxic fumes from a leather processing unit. The industry’s lethal impact extends far beyond animals—it endangers human lives and wreaks havoc on the environment.
Leather tanning is an extremely hazardous industry, and the risks extend far beyond what meets the eye. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies occupational exposure to leather dust as carcinogenic to humans. Workers in leather tanneries face a heightened risk of developing respiratory issues, skin disorders, and various forms of cancer, including lung, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, and skin cancer. Many of them toil in unsafe conditions, often without adequate protective gear, handling toxic chemicals such as chromium, formaldehyde, and arsenic—substances that not only harm the workers but also seep into the surrounding environment.
Leather production is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Tanneries generate massive amounts of toxic waste that contaminate rivers, groundwater, and soil, leading to long-term environmental degradation. The tanning process uses heavy metals and harmful chemicals that find their way into local water bodies, causing irreversible damage to ecosystems and endangering communities that rely on these water sources.
The leather industry thrives on the suffering of billions of animals each year. Cows, buffaloes, and other animals used for leather are often crammed into transport vehicles in such large numbers that their bones break under pressure. Many collapse from exhaustion, dehydration, and injury before reaching slaughterhouses, where their throats are slit in full view of other terrified animals. Some are even skinned while still conscious.
At Vyakti India, we believe fashion should not come at the cost of life—human or animal. That’s why we are proud to be a PETA-approved plant-based leather accessory brand, offering a stylish, ethical, and sustainable alternative to animal leather. Our products, crafted from Desserto Cactus Bio-mass Leather and other innovative materials, prove that luxury and compassion can coexist.
The tragedy at the Kolkata Leather Complex is a wake-up call. It’s time for consumers to take a stand against the leather industry’s cruelty and destruction. By choosing plant-based, cruelty-free alternatives, we can protect lives, preserve the environment, and build a future where fashion is truly sustainable.
Join the movement. Choose ethical fashion. Choose Vyakti India.
Sources: Peta India