A study of the dynamics of chromium emissions was carried out at two major tanneries operating in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Chromium III was the only species found during the investigation. Extensive chemical analyses for chromium were performed at the effluents and receptive sites for six months and the results were compared with the values required by the existing official acts, showing that they are were above ecologically dangerous levels. The concentrations of chromium in waters also were found to exceed the permissible values, but with a tendency toward reduction. Recycling was found to be the important operation capable of normalizing chrome concentrations at the various steps of production and in the release of this element into the environment.
Tannery; chromium; recycling; environmental impact
