Allergenic Disperse Dyes

WHAT ARE THEY?

They are a type of dye not ionic and insoluble in water used in the textile industry in dyeing and printing processes, basically in products made of acetate, polyester and polyamide.

TOXICOLOGY?

When they come into direct contact with the skin, these dyes may produce allergic reactions.

Disperse dyes are commonly used to dye polyester, also acetate and nylon. A small number of these dyestuffs have been identified as allergenic, causing severe skin irritation.

No EU legislation exists, but they are regulated by voluntary eco-testing schemes such as Oeko-tex and the EU Eco Label.

LEGISLATION?

Country / Regulation / Maximum limit on the final product

- Germany / Germany -§ 30 of the German Food and Commodities Law (Disperse dyes) (LMBG) (1/1/96) / Forbidden (detection limit 50 ppm in synthetic fibers)
- South Korea / Safety Quality Mark Act (KC Mark) / Forbidden (detection limit 50 ppm in synthetic fibers)

The dyes are:

Disperse Blue 3
Disperse Blue 7
Disperse Blue 26
Disperse Blue 35
Disperse Blue 102
Disperse Blue 106
Disperse Blue 124
Disperse Brown 1
Disperse Orange 1
Disperse Orange 3
Disperse Orange 37/76
Disperse Red 1
Disperse Red 11
Disperse Red 17
Disperse Yellow 1
Disperse Yellow 3
Disperse Yellow 9
Disperse Yellow 39
Disperse Yellow 49

The eco labelling schemes recommend a maximum limit of 30mg/kg.


Carcinogenic Disperse Dyes

A small group of disperse dyes have been identified as carcinogenic.
As with the allergenic dyes listed above, no EU legislation exists, but they are regulated by voluntary eco-testing schemes such as Oeko-tex and the EU Eco Label.

The dyes are: -

Acid Red 26
Basic Red 9
Basic Violet 14
Direct Black 38
Direct Blue 6
Direct Red 28
Disperse Blue 1
Disperse Orange 11
Disperse Yellow 3

The eco labelling schemes recommend a maximum limit of none detected.