Determination of aromatic amines formed from azo colorants in toy products

A study for the determination of the aromatic amines formed after reduction of the azo colorants mostly used in toys was conducted. Sodium dithionite was used in the reductive cleavage of the azo group for the dyes, and the released amines were subsequently analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The influence of different variables related to the reduction process was investigated by the use of a full-level factorial design, where most significant parameters as well as order interactions were studied. Reduction profiles for each colorant were obtained by studying the changes in the amount of amine obtained with different dithionite/colorant ratios. The expected aromatic amines forming azo colorants were detected, and in the presence of a nitro group a further reduction was observed. The yield of the total reduction process was determined by using standard addition of different quantities of amines to the colorants.