I believe it also emits highly toxic chemicals that are not only bad for your laser, but for your lungs and the earth as well. I could be wrong on that one - still have not tried chrome tan BC of the early discouragement here. There has been a fair bit of discussion on the subject, but no conclusive answers that I’m aware of. Here are a couple of those threads:
Those comments were enough to give me pause. Though I do see laser cut garment leather out there, so I assume that it has to be possible. Not knowing what tannage they’ve used (chrome tan? oil tan?) I’m wary of experimenting, but would love a definitive answer on this one. Being able to use garment leather/soft leather would open up a LOT of possibilities.