Toxicology and toxicological testing of colorants

摘要

Although generally of low toxicological potential, the safe handling of dyes and pigments nevertheless involves following good working practice to minimise occupational exposures and environmental releases. Such precautionary measures should also be used for chemicals not classified as dangerous. Inert dust can cause irritation of the respiratory tract when overloading occurs and since inhalation is the most possible source of occupational exposure to colorants, workplace safety requires the use of appropriate protection equipment such as breathing masks and corresponding air extraction and filtering systems. The European colour industry, represented in particular by ETAD, acts to investigate potential hazards and provide information on the toxicological profiles of dyes and pigments. For some decades comprehensive toxicological and ecotoxicological data on colorants have been collected mostly voluntarily by the colorant producers. With regard to toxicological results, colorants are therefore one of the most extensively studied group of chemicals. Since solubility is the most important prerequisite for a biochemical reaction, the toxicological profile of colorants can be considered according to the solubility criteria. Under this point of view three types of colorants should be quoted: water soluble dyes; lipid (or solvent) soluble dyes (solvent dyes, disperse dyes); and pigments.