Applied Technical Services performs Azo dye testing to identify the presence of Azo dyes in consumer products such as clothing, leather, and textiles. Azo dyes are synthetic chemical compounds that manufacturers use to treat certain products to give them more vibrant colors. Certain types of these dyes degrade over time, breaking down to produce aromatic amines, some of which have proven to be carcinogenic.
Several governing bodies, such as the California state government and the European Union (EU), have created restrictions on the inclusion of Azo dyes in consumer products. These restrictions are mostly limited to leather products and textiles that can have prolonged contact with the skin. The maximum concentration for each harmful amine is 10 parts-per-million (ppm). For a product to comply with these standards, a third-party testing laboratory must conduct Azo dye testing to prove that these harmful compounds make up less than 0.001% of a regulated product’s composition. Applied Technical Services provides Azo dye testing to help manufacturers avoid violating various consumer safety laws and industry regulations that restrict its presence in consumer products.
Sources of Harmful Amines in Textiles and Leather
In clothing, manufacturers often use potentially harmful amines in base fabric, colored leather, beads, sequins, threading, zipper fabric, and buttons; they typically come from the following classes of colorants:
- Acid Dyes
- Basic Dyes
- Direct Dyes
- Disperse Dyes
- Organic Pigments
- Reactive Dyes
Azo Dye Testing Method
Applied Technical Services uses Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) to analyze client samples, allowing our chemists to detect the presence and concentration of Azo dyes. LC/MS is a destructive testing method that provides concentration measurements of an analyte isolated from a sample matrix. The ATS chemical analysis lab uses LC/MS to identify, isolate, and measure compounds of interest if present in sample materials. Our certified chemists provide results at the parts-per-million (ppm) level when performing this test, vastly exceeding the sensitivity required by consumer product regulators.
List of Restricted Substances
The following AZO Dyes are restricted by either the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) under Proposition 65, the EU under REACH, or both:
- 92-67-1 | 4-Aminodiphenyl
- 92-87-5 | Benzidine
- 95-69-2 | 4-Chloro-o-toluidine
- 91-59-8 | 2-Naphthylamine
- 97-56-3 | o-Aminoazotoluene
- 106-47-8 | p-Chloroaniline
- 615-05-4 | 2,4-Diaminoanisole
- 101-77-9 | 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethance
- 91-94-1 | 3,3′-Dichlorobenzidine
- 119-90-4 | 3,3′-Dimethoxybenzidine
- 119-93-7 | 3,3′-Dimethylbenzidine
- 838-88-0 | 3,3′-Dimethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane
- 120-71-8 | p-Cresidine
- 101-14-4 | 4,4′-methylene-bis-(2-Chloroaniline)
- 101-80-4 | 4,4′-Oxydianiline
- 139-65-1 | 4,4′-Thiodianiline
- 95-53-4 | o-Toluidine
- 95-80-7 | 2,4-Toluenediamine
- 137-17-7 | 2,4,5-Trimethylaniline
- 60-09-3 | p-Phenylazoaniline
- 90-04-0 | o-Anisidine
- 96-28-1 | 2,4-Xylidine
- 87-62-7 | 2,6-Xylidine
- 106-49-0 | p-Toluidine
- 108-44-1 | m-Toluidine
Applied Technical Services
With over fifty years of experience, Applied Technical Services has the knowledge, resources, and skills to ensure our global client base receives the consistent level of quality testing they need to keep their operations running smoothly. Our certified chemists, thoroughly experienced and highly trained professionals, remain committed to providing the highest level of client satisfaction with reliable information, innovative technologies, and excellent customer service. Contact us today to submit your products for Azo dye testing.
