Disperse blue dyes are blue-colored disperse dyes. Disperse dyes are used to color textiles. Disperse blue dyes are used to produce blue and other dark colors. Like other disperse dyes, they are only slightly soluble in water.[1] However, they can be a source of water pollution.[2]
Disperse blue dyes, especially Disperse Blue 106 and Disperse Blue 124, have a higher than usual prevalence of textile dermatitis.[3] This means that people who are allergic to the dyes may develop allergic symptoms (e.g., a rash) when they wear clothes that have been colored with these dyes.
There are hundreds of disperse blue dyes. This table lists only a few. Some disperse dyes are also solvent dyes; for example, Disperse Blue 1 is the same chemical as Solvent Blue 18.[4]
| Disperse Blue 1 | Anthraquinone | Allergy risk, water pollution | |||
| Disperse Blue 3 | Allergy risk, aqueous toxicity | ||||
| Disperse Blue 7 | Allergy risk, water pollution | ||||
| Disperse Blue 26 | Allergy risk, water pollution | ||||
| Disperse Blue 35 | Allergy risk | ||||
| Disperse Blue 74 | Methine dyes | ||||
| Disperse Blue 79 | Aqueous toxicity | ||||
| Disperse Blue 102 | Allergy risk, water pollution | ||||
| Disperse Blue 106 | Textile allergy, water pollution | ||||
| Disperse Blue 124 | Azo dye | Textile allergy, water pollution | |||
| Disperse Blue 165 | Cyano- | ||||
| Disperse Blue 183 | Cyano-substituted azo dye | Water pollution | |||
| Disperse Blue 257 | Cyano-substituted azo dye | ||||
| Disperse Blue 291 | Water pollution | ||||
| Disperse Blue 373 | Azo dye | Water pollution |
Disperse blue dyes are used for dyeing synthetic fibers, such as fabric made from nylon or polyester.
Some patch testing kits for allergens include a mix of Disperse Blue 106 and Disperse Blue 124, and other colors can be tested if a textile dye allergy is suspected. Treatment mostly involves not wearing dark-colored synthetic clothing.
Although allergies to dyes are not very common, the disperse blue dyes are among the most common textile allergies. The American Contact Dermatitis Society named it their Allergen of the Year in 2000.[5] [6]