Synthetic azo dyes are widely used in industry. However, many azo dyes are known to affect human health and cause allergies and other ailments. The word Azo is derived from the French word azote, which means nitrogen and nitrogen. Historically, the spread of azo dyes is considered an important step in the development of the chemical sector.

The first precursors of azo dyes are aromatic amines. Azo compounds have vivid colors and cover about two-thirds of all synthetic dyes. There are at least three thousand azo paint types, which are the most widely used in trade and structurally of various organic paint classes. It is used in pharmaceutical and paper industry, printing inks and paint production, varnish and wood painting. Synthetic and natural textile fibers, plastics, hair dyes, waxes and oil colorants are azo dyes.

Azo paints are the largest and most versatile class of paints and account for more than half of the paints produced worldwide. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has certified more than three thousand tons of azo dyes for use in foods, medicines and cosmetics.

Azo dyes are slightly stable and resistant to microbial spoilage or fading in the washing process. Therefore, it is not easily removed from water by conventional waste water treatment methods. In the dyeing process of textile products, approximately 10 dyestuff is not bound to the fibers and released into the environment.

In terms of health, azo dyes cannot be said to be very innocent. Some azo dye components cause bladder cancer in humans. Paint workers exposed to azo dyes have a high incidence of bladder cancer. Azo dyes show lethal effects, genotoxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in humans. In addition, uncontrolled disposal of azo dyes from textile facilities into the environment in the textile sector poses great threats to the environment.

Nevertheless, the importance and use of azo dyes is increasing. Azo chemistry was first discovered in 1858. He then prepared many paints derived from them. The first azo dyestuff is a chemical produced in the UK in 1863 called Aniline Yellow.

Dyes containing one or more azo groups, i.e., azo dyes, comprise the largest family of organic dyes known to date.

Azo dyes have a wide range of colors, but in hydrophilic fibers, blue and green colors do not resist light unless they are metallized. Metallized derivatives have dull shades.

The directive 2004 / 21 / CE issued in the European Union states prohibits the use of certain azo dyes. The use of azo dyes is prohibited in textile products, leather garments, bags, lunch bags, pastel paints, watercolors, pencil boxes and many stationery products.

The main standards published by TSE in our country are as follows:

• TS EN ISO 14362-1 Textile - Methods for the determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo dyes - Part 1: Determination of the use of certain azo dyes which can be obtained with and without extraction in fibers
• TS EN ISO 14362-3 ... Part 3: Determination of the use of certain azo dyestuffs that can release 4-aminoazobenzene
• TS EN ISO 17234-1 Leather - Chemical tests for the determination of some azo dyes in dyed leathers - Part 1: Determination for aromatic amines obtained from azo dyes
• TS EN ISO 17234-2 ... Section 2: Determination of 4-aminoazobenzene

EUROLAB also provides azo dyestuff testing services within the scope of numerous laboratory services. Thanks to these tests, enterprises receive more efficient, high performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.

In addition to the azo dyestuff testing services provided within the scope of laboratory services, EUROLAB also provides other testing services.