Key Issue in the Woburn Trial: Leather Tanning
The History of Leather Tanning in Woburn
One of the defendants in the Woburn case was a leather tanning site. The town had a long history (and pollution legacy) from leather tanning at the site. In the mid 1860's Woburn Massachusetts became famous for its leather tanning. By 1884, 26 large tanneries employed 1500 people. The tanning industry fueled the local economy and spurred a related chemical industry to supply the chemicals needed for tanning.
The leather tanning and related chemical industries also left a legacy of industrial pollution in the area. Leather tanning was a prime source of pollution in the Aberjona and tributaries as early as the 1800's. Pollution conditions noted at the time were discoloration of the water, extensive fish kills, and cattle have refusing to drink the water of the Aberjona River", according to an EPA Report titled, "Wells G & H Site Remedial Investigation report Part 1, Woburn Massachusetts, Vol 2, p. B-34. At the time, investigators were particularly concerned about the spent bark liquor that injured vegetation and "water-washing, lime, hen-manure and fleshing" that caused odors. In addition, some of the tanneries disposed of their "liqour refuse" by keeping it pits which would soak in to the soil. The water of Russell Brook, the location of many of the tanneries, was particularly polluted.
In response to the pollution, the Massachusetts General Court, passed two pieces of pollution control legislation, one in 1907 for Russell Brook and one in 1911 for the Aberjona River. This legislation prohibited discharging any substance that might be injurious to public health or create a public nuisance. A fine of no more that $500 was established for each offense.
In the years 1911-1956, tanneries pollution continued to be a problem. According to the MSDH, the tanneries were reluctant to build individual water treatment works because they thought that a municipal sewer would be built.
Leather Tanning Background
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