Some validation aspects on the analytical method for assaying carcinogenic amines from textile dyes

Chemicals safety control and ecological properties have become a priority for the textile industry in order to avoid the negative effects on humans and environment. The increasing interest for toxicology of textiles is determined by the presence of dangerous compounds in clothes generated from dyeing and finishing processes. In order to protect human health, European Regulations as Oeko Tex Standard 100 and REACH Regulation limit the presence of dangerous chemicals, such as aromatic amines, generated by reductive cleavage of azo dyes, by no more than 30 mg/kg of textile material. The main goal of this research work was to develop and validate a HPLC/MWD method for precise and reliable identification and quantification of carcinogenic aromatic amines derived from banned azo dye specific to the textile industry. The simultaneous determination of 24 regulated aromatic amines has been conducted by two chromatographic methods according to SR EN ISO 14362-1:2017 in order to avoid matrix interferences and compounds misidentification due to the presence of structural isomers. Preliminary analyses to establish the maximum absorption wavelength of each standard solution of aromatic amine were performed simultaneously at four wavelengths, 240, 280, 305 and 380 nm. With the scope of demonstrating the consistency, reliability and accuracy of the analysed data, both liquid and gas chromatographic method were validated. Parameters as selectivity, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantification of the analytical methods were evaluated. The certainty of the determinations was also proved by the results of proficiency testing conducted by IIS Netherlands on azo dyes in textiles.