SUMMARY The process of tanning, which transforms animal skin into leather through the application of chemical products, can have deleterious effects on human health. Half of tannery factories in Bogotá are not legally registered so there is a lack of control on the use of harmful substances in the process as chromium or phthalates. This study was conducted to identify health effects associated with environmental exposure to substances produced by the tanning industry in San Benito, which is a community with high concentration of tannery factories in Bogota. Cross-sectional study,sample of 265 people from San Benito neighborhood (exposed) and another not exposed neighborhood. Exposure criteria was defined as proximity to the tanning industry in a radius of 300 meters. Outcome measures were dermatological, respiratory and neurological sentinel symptoms and diseases related to the exposure. Data was collected via survey through an instrument validated both by experts and statistically. Statistical analysis included the calculation of prevalence ratio and confidence intervals. Statistically significant associations were observed for chronic bronchitis (PR: 1.39 IC95%: 1.05-1.84), contact dermatitis (PR: 1.19, 95% CI: O, 75-1.90) migraine (PR: 1.30 IC95%: 1.30-1.65), nasal congestion (RP: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.19-2.47), cough with phlegm (RP: 2.04 IC95%: 1.19-3.50) and headache (RP: 1.30 IC95%: 1.03-1.65). An excess morbidity was observed in highly exposed population. Further studies should examine the causal effect of specific toxic substances on population health.