Kid Safe Leather Choices

[Aven]

I've been asked to make shoes for a couple of munchkins (toddlers) and knowing they are super flexible and have to taste everything I'm looking for some advice.  Are there leathers that I should absolutely avoid, toxic to suck on kind of leather. 

And conversely, is there an type of leather that can be gnawed on without worries?  I remember seeing an "organic" leather out of Italy or maybe Spain, but I can't find it now and besides, arsenic is organic so that word doesn't always mean that's it good for you.

Thanks

[chuck123wapati]

33 minutes ago, Aven said:

I've been asked to make shoes for a couple of munchkins (toddlers) and knowing they are super flexible and have to taste everything I'm looking for some advice.  Are there leathers that I should absolutely avoid, toxic to suck on kind of leather. 

And conversely, is there an type of leather that can be gnawed on without worries?  I remember seeing an "organic" leather out of Italy or maybe Spain, but I can't find it now and besides, arsenic is organic so that word doesn't always mean that's it good for you.

Thanks

i doubt you can find any leather different than what toddler shoes are already made out of. I don't think its a worry. As a father ,grandfather would worry more about them eating the stuff off them they step in.

[Klara]

When my belt-making, dog-owning colleague gave my dog a bit of leather to chew on, it was undyed veg tan (probably pretty pricey). (My dog wasn't interested at all). There are a lot of toxic shoe leathers around, made in Pakistan, used for (all) the cheap shoes people like to buy. German TV did a documentary on the subject, Gift auf unserer Haut (poison on our skin). 

My point is that you are right to worry, but my only solution is to find a reputable supplier close to where you live and ask him the questions. I would NOT buy organic from overseas. (Though, incidentally, I wonder what makes you classify arsenic as organic? As far as I know arsenic is a metalloid, meaning it's not part of organic chemistry. Unlike petrol and its products...) The shorter the chain of supply, the better the chance that things are as they should be, to my mind. But maybe I'm naive or deluded...

 

[Aven]

Thank you Klara for your input and the link.  My German is rusty, but I will give it a watch.

As for the arsenic, my mind lept to Arsenic and Old Lace for the poison.  I should have said cyanide.  It's present in apple seeds.

[chuck123wapati]

8 hours ago, Klara said:

When my belt-making, dog-owning colleague gave my dog a bit of leather to chew on, it was undyed veg tan (probably pretty pricey). (My dog wasn't interested at all). There are a lot of toxic shoe leathers around, made in Pakistan, used for (all) the cheap shoes people like to buy. German TV did a documentary on the subject, Gift auf unserer Haut (poison on our skin). 

My point is that you are right to worry, but my only solution is to find a reputable supplier close to where you live and ask him the questions. I would NOT buy organic from overseas. (Though, incidentally, I wonder what makes you classify arsenic as organic? As far as I know arsenic is a metalloid, meaning it's not part of organic chemistry. Unlike petrol and its products...) The shorter the chain of supply, the better the chance that things are as they should be, to my mind. But maybe I'm naive or deluded...

 

 

3 hours ago, Aven said:

Thank you Klara for your input and the link.  My German is rusty, but I will give it a watch.

As for the arsenic, my mind lept to Arsenic and Old Lace for the poison.  I should have said cyanide.  It's present in apple seeds.

i would worry about the sugar in their processed foods first, its the main factor attributed to all the health related diseases they will endure for life. And it is a toxin they do put in their mouths and LOVE to eat. Did you know it is in infant formulas at twice the amount as in soda pop in some brands.

[Klara]

15 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

i would worry about the sugar in their processed foods first

Completely right, but as I understand Aven, the kids are not hers. Meaning she can't control their diet. But she can do her best to get non-toxic leather for their shoes.

[chuck123wapati]

1 hour ago, Klara said:

Completely right, but as I understand Aven, the kids are not hers. Meaning she can't control their diet. But she can do her best to get non-toxic leather for their shoes.

 I don't enable people to be scared of their own shadow, its become the norm since the phony pandemic. I try and show them there is still some common sense in the world.

how many billions of shoes have been made in the history of the world with how many leathers, plastics and "man made materials"?

how many children have you ever heard have died from chewing on them? 

do the math.

I've raised six kids they don't eat their shoes! some worries are just stupid. sorry.

[Doc Reaper]

On 12/26/2022 at 11:44 AM, Aven said:

I've been asked to make shoes for a couple of munchkins (toddlers) and knowing they are super flexible and have to taste everything I'm looking for some advice.  Are there leathers that I should absolutely avoid, toxic to suck on kind of leather. 

And conversely, is there an type of leather that can be gnawed on without worries?  I remember seeing an "organic" leather out of Italy or maybe Spain, but I can't find it now and besides, arsenic is organic so that word doesn't always mean that's it good for you.

Thanks

SERIOUSLY!!! With the logic behind that question you should be removing all manmade items from your home - including the home!

 

[Handstitched]

A few  eons  ago, I was at a mates place enjoying a few drinks etc. His wife was having a little difficulty with their young child, about 1-2 yo,  crying  screaming etc. he was teething, poor 'lil mite, all parents have been there no doubt,   all the usual remedies didn't work . So I dipped his dummy into my Guiness and stuck it in his mouth..... ....shut 'im up for hours  

So not relevant or on topic....just saying 

HS

[Aven]

2 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

 I don't enable people to be scared of their own shadow, its become the norm since the phony pandemic. I try and show them there is still some common sense in the world.

how many billions of shoes have been made in the history of the world with how many leathers, plastics and "man made materials"?

how many children have you ever heard have died from chewing on them? 

do the math.

I've raised six kids they don't eat their shoes! some worries are just stupid. sorry.

There are no shadows here.  No conspiracies.  Just a general question about leather and the different tannage processes..

Every shoe manufacture knows the leather they are use and how was manufactured and what was in it.  I don't so I thought I would ask what I thought was simple question to those who know more than I do. I expected an answer of maybe use veg-tanned instead of chrome tanned.  Or maybe just not make shoes for the wee ones because they suck on anything they can put in the mouth. 

But thanks for your input everyone.  It was enlightening