Evaluation of the mutagenic potential of textile dyes using the micronucleus assay

Abstract

Dyes and pigments are important compounds for many types of industries, being used in medicines, cosmetics, food, clothing, plastics, rubber, among others. Currently, around 7 x 105 tons of these compounds are produced all over the world per year, and approximately 26,500 tons / year are consumed in Brazil. The production of dyes, despite great economic importance is the target of environmental concern. About 2% of dyes are discharged directly into wastewater during the production process and it is estimated that 10% of dyes used in textile processing do not bind the fibers and are released into the environment. Thus, around 280.000t of the textile dyes are discharged through industrial effluents every year worldwide. Acid Black 210 dye is an azo dye commonly used in the dyeing of leather, cotton and wool fabrics, representing approximately 80 to 90% of the black dye used in the industry. However, there are no studies on the genotoxic potential of the dye acid black 210 and no studies to monitor this dye in surface water, despite being a dye widely used in industry and has been detected in surface waters used for human consumption. This project aims to investigate the mutagenic potential of the dye Acid Black 210, through the micronucleus assay and is part of a larger study that assesses the occurrence of these and other dyes in water samples receiving tannery wastewater. Thus, our results will provide information for hazard assessment and risk characterization of exposure of living beings to this dye. (AU)