Mutagenicity of textile dyes

The mutagenicity of 28 dyes was assessed by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium. The results showed that 7 bromoacrylamide dyes, one vinyl sulphone dye and one acid dye were mutagenic. It is not clear whether the dyes or additives in the commercial formulations caused the mutagenicity, but further experiments showed that at least 98 per cent of the initial mutagenicity disappeared from the dye bath liquor during dyeing. Further research on the subject is recommended.