Chromium in safety gloves: What you should watch out for

This is blog #4 in our "Truth in Safety" series, where we debunk myths and misconceptions surrounding PPE. In an industry flooded with bold claims and confusing standards, we provide the facts you need to make informed safety decisions for you and your team. No fluff, no hype, just the truth from the trusted safety experts who have your back.

Not all Chromium is toxic. One type is an essential nutrient found in food, supplements, fruits, water, and even energy drinks. The other? A toxic industrial chemical that’s been found at the center of lawsuits, environmental disasters, and serious health concerns that can be life-threatening. If your workplace uses leather safety gloves, knowing the difference in chromium is critical, not just for worker safety, but to protect your company from liability. 

Recently, companies have faced lawsuits and penalties for the improper disposal of used leather products, including gloves that contain safe Chromium 3 and in some cases, toxic Chromium 6. Chromium 6 is a very hazardous substance of high concern, linked to cancer and groundwater contamination. In this blog, we break down the key differences between Chromium 3 and Chromium 6, why one is safe and the other is dangerous, and how proper PPE disposal can help you avoid regulatory compliance issues and protect your workforce.

What is Chromium? 

Chromium is a naturally occurring metal found in the earth’s crust, often used in industrial processes such as manufacturing stainless-steel, chrome plating, leather tanning, and pigment manufacturing. It can even be used in industries like Automotive, Aerospace, and the Oil and Gas industry.  While chromium exists in several different forms, the two most well-known –and most relevant to safety managers – are Chromium 3 (Trivalent Chromium) and Chromium 6 (Hexavalent Chromium).

Each type has vastly different effects on human health and the environment. Here's how they compare.

Chromium 3 vs. Chromium 6: What’s the Difference?

Chromium 3 (Trivalent Chromium): The essential nutrient

• A naturally occurring metal that plays a role in metabolism and blood sugar regulation.
• Found in food and drinks like tea, whole grains, meats, and energy drinks, and even sold as a dietary supplement that helps to regulate blood sugar and metabolism.
• Non-toxic and safe for human consumption in small amounts.
• Sometimes used in industrial processes but not a major hazard when disposed of properly.

Chromium 6 (Hexavalent Chromium): The dangerous one

• A highly toxic and unstable form of chromium, commonly used in welding, electroplating, dyes, and corrosion-resistant coatings – or other types of “hot work” on stainless steel or other metals that contain Chromium.  
• Chromium can become airborne or "leach"—a process where it gradually dissolves or releases from a material into water, soil, or other substances—creating serious environmental and health hazards.
• Linked to lung cancer, respiratory issues, and severe skin irritation.
• The same chemical behind the infamous Erin Brockovich case, where groundwater contamination led to one of the largest environmental lawsuits in history.   
• Can sometimes be present in safety gloves used in certain industries –and improper disposal can lead to contamination.
• California has issued a Prop 65 notice on this chemical stating: 

“Chromium VI (Cr (VI)) has been listed on the California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) list for carcinogenic and reproductive toxicity since 1987.”

It's important however, to note that Chromium 3 is not listed as a substance of high concern on the Prop65 index. Nor is the substance regulated federally for use as a supplement or ingredient in consumer goods. Again, Chromium 3 is nontoxic and safe.

Why is Chromium found in leather gloves? 

If you’ve ever used leather work gloves, chances are they contain Chromium 3 – and for good reason. It’s estimated that 85% of the world’s leather products are tanned using Chromium 3, a process that makes the material tougher, more durable, and resistant to wear and tear. But why is chromium used in the first place, and how does it get into the gloves you wear on the job? 

The leather tanning process

Leather tanning is the process of preserving animal hides (like deer, elk, cow, goat, or pig skin) and turning them into durable, usable materials. Without tanning, leather would rot and break down quickly, making it unsuitable for work gloves or other protective gear. The art of tanning removes natural oils, fats and other organic substances and replaces them with synthetic substances that help to preserve the hides integrity and strength. 

Here’s how it works, and where chromium comes into the picture: 

1. Removing hair and prepping the hide: Raw hides are placed in chemical-filled drums to strip away hair, fat, and other organic materials. 
2. Pickling the leather:The hides are soaked in an acidic solution to prepare them for tanning. 
3. Tanning with Chromium salts: Chromium salts replace the removed organic matter in the hide, helping the leather to retain strength, durability, and flexibility without becoming too stiff. 

This process results in leather that is tough enough for industrial use, yet soft and flexible enough for workers to wear comfortably. 

Chromium 3 vs. Chromium 6 in leather tanning: 

• Chromium 3 is the most widely used tanning agent today because it hardens leather, making it tough and long-lasting. It provides the necessary durability but isn’t as strong as Chromium 6.
• Chromium 6 was used in older tanning processes, particularly in "blue wash" tanning, because it made leather even more durable. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, Chromium 6 was heavily used in the chrome plating industry and in leather tanning throughout the world. Chromium 6 is highly toxic. We learned that this substance was causing ulcers, skin irritation, and in extreme cases – cancer. Chromium 6 was used in the same manner as the safer Chromium 3 substance but was quickly replaced. 

Today, tanneries have almost entirely switched to Chromium 3, since they provide many of the same benefits but without the extreme health risks.

Can leather be made without Chromium? 

Yes, but it can be seen as not as durable – and can come at a premium expense.

There are chrome-free tanning methods, but they require alternative chemicals that don’t harden the leather as well. Gloves made without Chromium tend to be less durable, more expensive, and harder to produce at scale. Because of this, Chromium 3 remains the industry standard for making high-quality leather gloves. 

How improper disposal can turn Chromium 3 into Chromium 6 – and why it’s a problem 

While Chromium 3 is generally safe, improper disposal can turn it into a serious environmental and health hazard over time. The issue isn’t just that Chromium 3 is present in PPE – it's what happens when discarded gloves are exposed to extreme elements. 

Under certain conditions, Chromium 3 can oxidize into Chromium 6, the highly toxic and cancer-causing form of chromium. This transformation happens when gloves are exposed to:

• Extreme heat (such as burning or industrial waste processing)
• Prolonged UV radiation that can accelerate oxidation (high UV exposure over time, such as UV 11 for 12+ hours)
• Acidic environments (landfills, contaminated soil, or chemical exposure)

When gloves containing Chromium 3 break down in landfills or industrial waste sites, they can leach – or “release” chromium into the ground and water supply, putting ecosystems and communities' water tables at risk.

Once Chromium 6 is present, the dangers escalate quickly:

• Water contamination: Chromium 6 can seep into drinking water sources, affecting entire communities.
• Soil pollution: Contaminated land can remain hazardous for years, impacting wildlife and agriculture.
• Severe health risks: Exposure to Chromium 6 is linked to lung cancer, respiratory diseases, and skin ulcers.

This is why regulatory agencies are cracking down on PPE disposal, and why companies are now facing major lawsuits and heavy fines for improper disposal practices.

Legal consequences companies are facing 

As a result of improper disposal, larger companies can be sued for PPE-related chromium contamination, even if they never used Chromium 6 directly. Regulators are cracking down, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is at the center of it.

What is the RCRA?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was designed to regulate hazardous waste disposal in the U.S. But recently, many companies argue that the RCRA is overstepping its authority, penalizing businesses for issues beyond their control, like long-term oxidation of Chromium 3 into Chromium 6. 

Remember, Chromium 3 already exists naturally in our water, food, and ground, including waste disposal sites. Industries, including the PPE industry, believe it is a government overreach to issue fines on leather products that contain safe chromium 3 for this reason. 

Why are we trying to enforce a ban or fines on a substance's ability to potentially, under extreme conditions, alter itself into something else? Especially something that already exists naturally in the ground. There is no way to prove that harmful chromium at these sites is due to leather gloves or leather PPE. It easily could exist from the natural chromium that exists everywhere, being exposed to conditions like UV exposure or other natural oxidation methods. 

Pushback from the industry: The ISEA International Safety Equipment Association 

Because of this, HexArmor reached out to the ISEA seeking help in lobbying the Federal oversight committees of the EPA with the goal of classifying PPE as exempt under the RCRA Act. Several other major PPE companies supported the cause and joined in the group's efforts.   

These companies argue that:

• Chromium 3 itself is not hazardous, and oxidation is a rare long-term process.
• The EPA’s enforcement is too broad, holding companies responsible for environmental changes outside their control.
• Better disposal guidelines should be put in place instead of punitive fines.

What this means for safety companies

If you’re overseeing PPE disposal in your company, it’s critical to stay ahead of these regulations –even if you’re using gloves tanned with Chromium 3. Without proper disposal protocols, your company could face:

• Heavy fines from the RCRA
• Lawsuits for chromium contamination
• Environmental risks and regulatory audits

By properly recycling leather gloves, your team can avoid these extensive fines, protect your workforce, and do what’s right for the environment.  We understand the challenges of PPE disposal, which is why we work with recycling companies to help teams like yours properly dispose of leather work gloves – reducing environmental impact while keeping your workplace compliant.

Reach out to your sales rep to learn more. 

Does HexArmor® use Chromium 3 in safety gloves?

At HexArmor®, we’re always looking ahead – and that means innovating beyond industry standards. While Chromium 3 is currently the safest and most commonly used option for leather tanning, we’ve started to explore how we can go even further. 

Check out our Chrome® SLT 4059IMP: Our first leather glove tanned without Chromium salts. Using a proprietary wet white tanning process with alternative salts, we’ve created a glove that delivers exceptional comfort and durability, while still delivering the structural integrity performance of traditional leather gloves. 

It’s the same rugged performance workers expect from leather, only smarter and more sustainable.

This is just the beginning. While most leather gloves in the industry (including many of ours) still use Chromium 3 tanning, the 4059IMP represents a first step toward safer, eco-conscious leather glove innovation. 

HexTip: While our tanning process itself is chromium-free, no leather glove can be completely free of chromium. Due to natural trace elements in the leather, achieving 100% chromium-free construction is impossible, but we’ve reduced it to the lowest achievable amount – 99.9% chromium-free gloves. If companies claim to have “100% Chromium-free gloves” - take a closer look at the fine print. 

HexArmor® can help

At the end of the day, here’s what matters: Chromium 3 isn’t dangerous, but improper disposal can turn it into a serious problem for both worker safety and the environment. That’s why having the right recycling solution in place is critical.

HexArmor® partners with trusted recycling companies to help your team properly dispose of leather work gloves, keeping you compliant and protected from regulatory fines.

Want to learn more? Contact your sales rep or reach out to one of our solution specialists to discuss recycling options and explore how HexArmor® can support your team. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.