Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products, 57 – Screening for health effects from chemical substances in textile colorants

Screening for health effects from chemical substances in textile colorants

Summary and conclusions

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has as a part of the programme on surveys of chemical substances in consumer products performed a survey and analysis of textile colorants for hobby uses. Based on the results of the chemical analysis, an assessment is performed on which chemical substances that were identified in the textile colorant products and the potential adverse effects from these substances when the textile colorant products were used by consumers.

Textile colorants can be divided into decoration colorants and products for textile dying of which 80% of the total consumption is composed of the latter. The group of decoration colorants includes products as felt-tip pens, pop-up dyes, and transfer dyes. The group of products for textile dyeing includes textile dyes intended for dyeing or covering textiles in larger proportions. The annual Danish consumption is approximately 30,000 kg.

In the survey report, analyses were performed on 8 textile dye products. In the qualitative analysis for volatile substances several glycols and solvents were identified. Glycols are generally considered non-toxic but the study showed that the assumption was based on a few or old test results. The identification of many solvents indicated that especially during the use of the products consumers were exposed. The assessments are therefore concerned especially with this phase of the consumer exposure.

The organic chemical substances commonly found, detected at high concentrations or had severe classifications were selected for health assessment. In the screening of classifications, it was observed that of the 63 identified chemical substances, 28 were classified in the List of dangerous substances (Annex I on Directive 67/548/EC). Five substances could be self-classified by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency's Advisory list for self-classification. One substance was classified Carc.cat.1;R45, may cause cancer, 5 substances were classified Carc.cat.3;R40, limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect, 1 substance was classified mutagenic Mut.car.2;R46, may cause heritable genetic damage. Three substances were classified R42 and/or R43, may cause sensitisation by inhalation and/or by skin contact and further 2 substances was placed in the same category according to the Advisory list for self-classification. A total of 13 organic substances were selected for health assessment.

Selected products were analysed for 3 metals of which 2 were found at concentrations above the detection limit. The two substances (antimony and copper) were also selected for health assessment.

The health assessment is performed based on realistic "worst case" scenarios according to the methods developed by EU for risk assessment of chemical substances. This means that relevant levels were identified at which no adverse health effects are expected (NOAEL: no observed adverse effect level) or an established threshold limit value for uptake. This value was then compared to the estimated concentrations or uptakes in the selected scenarios.

In the scenarios, an assessment was performed based on exposure via inhalation of volatile substances during the use of textile dye products, by dermal contact if the consumer gets his hands contaminated or is exposed by an equal amount from the dyed textile. Further, a scenario is included for oral exposure based on mouthing of fingers, product or dyed textiles. The latter may hardly be avoided if the family includes toddlers.

Two of the evaluated substances (1,4-dichlorobenzene and 1,4-dioxane) are classified carcinogenic category 3 (R40 Limited evidence of carcinogenic effect). Both substances have been assessed in the EU risk assessment programme. The reports indicate a threshold to carcinogenic effects. Thus at the determined levels the substance may not be of significance but the manufacturer and the consumer perhaps should consider alternatives.

The product containing 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl isocyanate (IPDI) is assessed not to pose an immediate health risk to the consumer of the studied textile colorant. However, the margin of safety (MOS) is low indicating a potential health concern and prolonged exposure should be avoided with products containing this substance. It should be noted also that the substance may cause sensitisation by skin contact and by inhalation. Heating of the colorants containing this substance should be performed under ventilation.

Products containing isobutane also had a very low margin of safety (MOS) indicating a potential health concern. Prolonged exposure should be avoided with products containing this substance. Use of products containing the substance should be performed under aeration or ventilation.

The conclusion of the project is that none of the evaluated chemical substances would cause any immediate adverse health effects to the consumer at the estimated exposure levels by inhalation, dermal or oral contact.

The assessments are in most cases performed by comparing data from long-term studies or even chronic data. As the exposure to textile colorants must be assumed to be actual within shorter periods the conclusions should be acceptable.

However, it should be noted that the consumer is exposed to more than one of the substances simultaneously. Because the effect levels used in the evaluation are based on varying effects they can not be added. Further the consumer may be exposed to the same substances form other sources, e.g. other products, environment or food, which could result in a total exposure above the no-effect levels or tolerable daily intake values. Especially exposure to substances with low MOS values (e.g. isobutane and IPDI) may be critical.