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Document ID (ISN)55725
CIS number 91-538
ISSN - Serial title 0025-7818 - Medicina del lavoro
Year 1990
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Clonfero E., Venier P., Granella M., Levis A.G.
Title Mutagenic and carcinogenic risks of leather azo dyes
Original title I coloranti azoici per cuoio: rischio mutageno e cancerogeno [in Italian]
Bibliographic information May-June 1990, Vol.81, No.3, p.222-229. 32 ref.
Abstract The paper reviews the carcinogenicity and mutagenicity data on azo dyes used in the leather industry. Two water soluble benzidine-based dyes were classified as "probably carcinogenic in humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). No other dyes have been evaluated by the IARC. Of the 48 azo dyes assayed in the Salmonella/microsome test, 20 gave positive results. Attention is drawn to the important role of the in vivo metabolism of azo compounds, which includes a preliminary reduction of the azo bonds and subsequent release of the aromatic amines of the dye. A useful assay (Prival test) for evaluating the mutagenic properties of azo dyes involves a reductive step that permits the release of any genotoxic agents present in the compounds. A list of leather azo dyes is furnished that are considered as potentially harmful due to the presence of a carcinogenic aromatic amine (benzidine, p-aminoazobenzene and derivatives) in their formulae.
Descriptors (primary) carcinogens; leather goods industry; dyes; azo compounds
Descriptors (secondary) p-aminoazobenzene; carcinogenicity tests; benzidine; aromatic amines
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceItaly
Subject(s) Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Footwear, leather and fur industry