Abstract
Azo dyes represent the most widely used chemical class of dyes in textiles. They may be biotransformed into aromatic amines by human skin bacteria. These aromatic amines might then enter the body through dermal absorption. Twenty-two aromatic amines are known carcinogens. Therefore, azo dyes are banned for the use in textiles for clothing in the European Union. Non-regulated aromatic amines with suspected toxic properties might also be released by azo dyes. For this survey, 58 aromatic amines of toxicological concern were selected, including the 22 regulated as well as aromatic amines suspected of being mutagenic and some of their positional isomers. Their occurrence and content after the reductive cleavage of the azo bond were investigated in 150 random textile samples from Swiss retail outlets and online shops. Substances suspected of being mutagenic, including potential reduction derivates of nitro compounds were detected in relevant concentrations (> 30 mg/kg) in 25% of the analyzed samples. This survey clearly shows that a substantial percentage of the azo dyes used in today’s textiles for cloth are made up of aromatic amines possessing mutagenic and/or other hazardous properties.
Highlights
Azo dyes represent the most widely used chemical class of dyes in textiles (FriedliPartner 2009; Bruschweiler and Merlot 2017)
The aim of this study was to evaluate if the 71 aromatic amines (AAs) of interest are products of reductive cleavage of azo dyes used in textiles on the Swiss market
Our results show that a substantial number of colored textiles contained non-regulated AAs of toxicological concern, or got released after extraction and reductive cleavage
Summary
Azo dyes represent the most widely used chemical class of dyes in textiles (FriedliPartner 2009; Bruschweiler and Merlot 2017). 1B or 2) in the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2000 and banned for use in azo dyes in textiles and leather articles for direct and prolonged skin contact. In the European Union, 22 of these AAs are classified as carcinogen category. These AAs are listed in Appendix 8 of the REACH regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. According to REACH Annex XVII entry 43, azo dyes which, are cleaved off of one or more azo groups, may release one or more of the AAs listed in Appendix 8 in detectable concentration, i.e., above 30 mg/ kg in the article according to defined testing methods, shall not be used (EC 2006). In Switzerland, the regulation of these compounds in clothing textiles is harmonized with the European Union (FDHA 2005, SR 817.023.41)
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