International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 57 (1993) (p. 235)
CAS No.: 2429-74-5
Chem. Abstr. Name: 3,3'-[(3,3'-Dimethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl) bis(azo)]bis[5-amino-4-hydroxy-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid], tetrasodium salt

5.1 Exposure data

CI Direct Blue 15, a bis-azo dye derived from 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, is used mainly for dyeing textiles and paper. The technical grade contains about 50% of pure dye, in addition to inorganic salts and a mixture of about 35 organic compounds, including 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine.

5.2 Human carcinogenicity data

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data

Technical-grade CI Direct Blue 15 was tested for carcinogenicity in one study in rats by administration in the drinking-water. It produced benign and malignant tumours of the skin, Zymbal gland, liver, small intestine and oral cavity as well as leukaemia in animals of each sex, of the large intestine and preputial gland in males and of the uterus and clitoral gland in females.

5.4 Other relevant data

CI Direct Blue 15 caused renal and hepatic toxicity in rats. Reductive cleavage of the azo bonds to yield 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine was demonstrated in vivo.

CI Direct Blue 15 induced mutation in bacteria under conditions that favour reduction. Neither sister chromatid exchange nor chromosomal aberrations were induced in cultured mammalian cells.

5.5 Evaluation

There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of CI Direct Blue 15.

There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of technical grade CI Direct Blue 15.

Overall evaluation

CI Direct Blue 15 is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Synonyms

• Airedale Blue D
• Aizen Direct Sky Blue 5B
• Aizen Direct Sky Blue 5BH
• Amanil Sky Blue
• Atlantic Sky Blue A
• Atul Direct Sky Blue
• Azine Sky Blue 5B
• Belamine Sky Blue A
• Benzanil Sky Blue
• Benzo Sky Blue A-CF
• Benzo Sky Blue S
• Cartasol Blue 2GF
• Chloramine Sky Blue A
• Chloramine Sky Blue 4B
• Chrome Leather Pure Blue
• CI No. 24400
• Cresotine Pure Blue
• Diacotton Sky Blue 5B
• Diamine Blue 6B
• Diamine Sky Blue
• Diaphtamine Pure Blue
• Diazol Pure Blue 4B
• Diphenyl Brilliant Blue
• Diphenyl Sky Blue 6B
• Direct Blue 10G
• Direct Blue 15
• Direct Blue HH
• Direct Pure Blue
• Direct Pure Blue M
• Direct Sky Blue
• Direct Sky Blue A
• Direct Sky Blue 5B
• Enianil Pure Blue AN
• Fenamin Sky Blue
• Hispamin Sky Blue 3B
• Kayafect Blue Y
• Kayaku Direct Sky Blue 5B
• Mitsui Direct Sky Blue 5B
• Naphtamine Blue 10G
• Niagara Blue 4B
• Niagara Sky Blue
• Nippon Direct Sky Blue
• Nippon Sky Blue
• Nitto Direct Sky Blue 5B
• Oxamine Sky Blue 5B
• Paper Blue S
• Phenamine Sky Blue A
• Pontamine Sky Blue 5BX
• Shikiso Direct Sky Blue 5B
• Sky Blue 4B
• Sky Blue 5B
• Tertrodirect Blue F
• Vondacel Blue HH

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations