Footwear Tests: Chemicals Used and Analyzes Performed

What are the Chemicals Used in Footwear Production? Hazards, Tests and Analyzes...

Footwear Tests

Footwear, which are indispensable in our daily lives, have a large market with different brands in different colors and varieties, especially in terms of fashion. Since the footwear sector has a variety of raw materials and auxiliary materials, it is in cooperation with many sectors such as leather, textiles and plastics.

Footwear with a wide range of products go through many stages in the production process. All materials used in these stages undergo chemical processes as well as physical processes. The chemical content of products such as artificial leather and fabric used in footwear production is also important.

Chemicals such as adhesives used in footwear production or chemicals in the products used can cause major health problems, first for the people working in production and then for consumers.

Test Parameters

Determination of Di-N-Octyltin (DOT)
Determination of Organotin Compounds
Determination of Phthalates
Dimethyl Fumarate (DMFu) Determination
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Determination

The tests carried out are necessary tests to prove that the footwear we use, especially for a long time, are not harmful to human health.

For a while, “toxic footwear” news was on the agenda. Many consumers have experienced health problems due to footwear containing harmful chemicals. Apart from obvious problems such as skin irritation, the materials used in the production of shoes contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which increase the risk of cancer.

For this reason, the footwear produced are put on the market after passing the necessary inspections and tests within the scope of the “Regulation on the Labeling of the Materials Used in the Construction of the Basic Elements of the Footwear to be Purchased by the Consumer” prepared within the framework of harmonization with the European Union legislation, taking into account the Council Directive 1994/11 / EC.

Chemicals Used in Footwear Production

Various chemicals are used to treat and increase the durability of the materials used in the production of footwear. These chemicals can be found in different components of the footwear :

Upper Material: Leather, textiles, synthetic materials.
Sole: Rubber, polyurethane, PVC.
Adhesives and Dyes: Various solvents, resins, pigments.

Frequently Used Chemicals

Azo Dyestuffs: Used to give color. Some azo dyes can cause cancer by converting to harmful aromatic amines.
Phthalates: Plasticizers used to increase flexibility. They can have negative effects on the hormonal system.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Used to provide waterproofing and insulation, but are dangerous for the environment and human health.
Chromium (VI): Used in leather tanning processes. May increase the risk of skin allergies and cancer.
Organotin Compounds: Used as stabilizers in PVC products. May have harmful effects on the immune and nervous systems.
Formaldehyde: Used to increase hardness and durability in footwear. May cause respiratory irritation and allergic reactions.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Footwear Tests. We also provide services in Nickel Testing in Metal Textile Accessories.

You can follow us on LinkedIn for up-to-date news and posts about our services.

Follow our Instagram account to be informed about our latest blog posts.