Introduction

Dyes are coloured compounds capable of being fixed to fabrics, mats and wooden toys
which do not wash out with soap and water or fade on exposure to light. Today most of
the available dyes are synthetic ones prepared from aromatic compounds. The
chemicals used for the synthesis of dyes are hazardous for human life. The metabolism
occurs primarily in liver and the metabolites formed are transported in the blood where
they can form protein adduct or undergo renal filtration in urinary bladder lumens
where at acidic pH, they can react covalently with DNA and the carcinogen DNA
adducts formed cause disorders in the whole metabolic reactions. Many of the synthetic
dyes are harmful to living organism and few of which contain toxic heavy metals such
as lead, mercury, chromium, zinc, cobalt and copper and harmful organic compounds
such as benzene and formaldehyde. Toxic effects of synthetic dyes can be categorized
as acute toxic effects and chronic toxic effects. Acute toxicity refers to exposure of
short duration, e.g. a single oral administration. Studies have shown that there is very
little evidence of acute oral toxicity in most synthetic dyes especially the vat dyes and
pigments which have very low solubility in body fluids and they pass through the
digestive system without absorption in the blood stream. Chronic toxicity is due to
regular exposure over a prolonged period. The most serious concern is to induce cancer.
There is concern in recent years over potential carcinogenicity of certain azo dyes. The
reductive cleavage of the azo group gives aromatic amines from which the dyes are
derived. Many aromatic amines which are used for dye manufacture are well known
carcinogens. It is well established that benzidine and 2-naphthylamines are potent
human carcinogens. In certain European countries research has been undertaken to
examine the cancer causing potential of azo dyes particularly the amines produced by
reductive enzymatic cleavage of azo group. In Germany the approach has been to ban
manufacture and import of all dyes derived from aromatic amines.
A number of non-permitted colours like Auramine (1), Blue VRs (2), Congo
Red (3), Malachite Green (4), Metanil Yellow (5), Orange II (6), Rhodamine B (7),
Sudan II (8) and Sudan III (9) are still used very commonly because of their ready
availability and relative cheapness constituting a serious health hazard.

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Malachite green and its major metabolite, leuco-malachite green has been reported
to have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. The effects of malachite green on fish eggs
have also been tested and it has been shown that a twofold increase in the concentration
of malachite green could lead up to 20 times the mortality rate in rainbow trout eggs.
Congo red itself is moderately toxic [LD 50 intravenously is 190 mg/kg in rats], there
may be problems with the blood-brain barrier, and perhaps some derivative might be
more effective. In California, Rhodamine B is suspected to be carcinogenic and thus
products containing it must contain a warning on its label. Feeding of Sudan III to
young rats retarded the growth of the thymus, testes, and ovaries. Postmortem
examination showed no trace of dye in the brain, spleen, or heart; but its presence was
noted in the liver, pancreas, and kidney. Daily ingestion of 3% Metanil yellow for 90
days produced a degenerative changes in the gametogenic elements of guinea pig testis.
The exposure of some of the harmful chemicals and metals namely arsenic,
cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc in excess from
synthetic dyes may cause serious health effects are as follows:Arsenic: Symptoms of arsenic poisoning start with mild headaches and can progress to
lightheadedness and usually, if untreated, will result in death. Arsenic poisoning can
lead to a variety of problems, from skin cancer to keratoses of the feet. Chronic
exposure to inorganic arsenic may lead to cutaneous hyper pigmentation.
Mercury: Mercury can be easily absorbed through skin or inhalation. It affects the
immune system, alters genetic and enzyme systems, damages the nervous system.

Particularly damaging to developing embryos, which are 5 to 10 times more sensitive

for adults.
Lead: Lead can be easily absorbed through skin or inhalation. It impacts nervous
system. Even low levels of lead can reduce IQ level and cause behavior problems.
Chromium: Chromium is necessary for insulin activity and an essential trace metal
but exposure at toxic levels causes squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
Manganese: Manganese affects liver function. On the other hand, more than 95% of
manganese is eliminated by biliary excretion. Any existing liver damage may slow this
process, increasing its concentration in blood plasma. The exact neurotoxic mechanism
of manganese is uncertain but there are clues pointing at the interaction of manganese
with iron, zinc, aluminum, and copper. Based on a number of studies, disturbed iron
metabolism could underlie the neurotoxic action of manganese.
Copper: The massive exposure of copper can cause fatigue, insomnia, osteoporosis,
heart disease, cancer, migraine headaches, seizures also creat mental disorders include
depression, anxiety, mood swings, phobias, panic attacks and attention deficit disorders.
Nickel: Exposure to nickel metal and soluble compounds should not exceed
0.05 mg/cm. Nickel is an important cause of contact allergy, partly due to its use in
jewellery intended for pierced ears.
Cadmium: Cadmium is extremely toxic to humans because of its inhibition of various
enzyme systems; primary target organ is the kidney; but it also causes lung cancer;
testicular damage and male sterility. Chronic exposure is associated with renal disease.

Need for Eco-friendly natural dyes alternative to synthetic dyes

The exposure of significant amount of harmful chemicals from synthetic dyes,
through breathing and contact with mouth would increase the risk of cancer and other
health effects, but most of the natural dyes are almost perfectly safe and which do not
contain toxic aromatic compounds and harmful metal ions. The environmental
argument support the use of natural dyes as this will lead to exploitation of renewable
resources and offering secure to human health. Presently there is a renewed interest in
the application of natural dyes mainly due to their environmental friendly
characteristics. Throughout the whole world there is now a great stress on the protection
of environment, particularly the damage caused by effluents containing synthetic dyes.
Regulations concerning the effluents of industries are becoming stricter everyday. The
industries are being forced to develop and adopt the non-polluting technologies. Thus,

there is a need to realize the importance and develop the use of natural dyes and an
effort to reassess and promote the use of natural dyes technology deserves
encouragement. Hence it is recommended to replace the harmful synthetic dyes with
risk-free suitable natural dyes for craft works especially for mat weaving and toys
making industries.

Natural dyes and stains can be obtained from the roots, leaves, barks, rinds, rhizomes,
fruits and woods of various plants (Table 1).

Table 1. List of plant sources for obtaining natural colours instead of synthetic dyes
S.No Colour
1

Orange

2.

Brown

Name of the plant source

Allium cepa L - (Onion skin), Daucus carota L - (Carrot), Juglans
cinerea L - (Butternut), and Punica granatum - (Pomegranate).
Quercus - (Oak bark), Rhus - (Sumac), Taraxacum cass - (Dandelion),
(Juglans L) Walnut, Juniperus drupacea - (Juniper Berries), Foeniculum
vulgare Mill-(Fennel), genera Quercus (Acorns), Lawsonia inermis
(Henna), Terminallia arjuna (Arjuna), Mimusops elengi (Spanishcherry) and Bixa orellana (Annato).

Crocus sativus (Saffron), Vaccinium (Blueberries), Prunus (Cherry),

Rubus leucodermis (Raspberry) and Indigofera tintoria (Indigo).
Beta vulgaris (Beets), Malus Tourn - Crab Apple, Rosa glauca - Rose,
Prunus virginiana - (Chokecherries), Rubia cordifolia (Madder) and
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Hibiscus)

3.

Blue

4.

Red

Black

Ficus racemosa (Cluster fig), Psidium guajava (Guava), Ceratonia

siliqua - (Carob pod) and Quercus acutissima (Sawthorn Oak)

Pink

Bauhinia purpurea (Camels foot tree)

Reddish
pale
brown

Ficus religiosa (Peepul tree) and Caesalpinia echinata - Brazil wood

8.

Brownish
red

Pterocarpus marsupium - (Indian Kino)

9.

RedPurple

Phytolacca acinosa (Pokeweed), Hemerocallis altissima (Daylilies),

Carthamus tinctorius L (Safflower), Haematoxylum campechianum
(Logwood) and Solanum melanocerasum - (Huckleberry).

Green

Artemisia abrotanum (Artemisia), Cynara cardunculus (Artichokes),

Camellia sinensis (Tea Tree), Spinacia oleracea - (Spinach), Rumex
acetosa (Sorrel), Digitalis cariensis (Foxglove), Syringa vulgaris
(Lilac), Camellia assimilis (Camellia), Antirrhinum australe
(Snapdragon), Pennisetum setaceum - (Grass), Acacia greggii (Mulga
Acacia).

Yellow

Peganum harmala (Syrian Rue), Rudbeckia hirta (Yellow cone

flower), Medicago sativa (Alfalfa), Salix (Willow), Daucus carota
(Queen Annes Lace), Arctium lappa - (Burdock), Apium graveolens
(Celery), Solidago virgaurea minuta (Golden Rod), Houttuynia cordata
(Cameleon plant), Mimosa pudica (Mimosa), Maclura pomifera
(Osage orange), Narcissus jonquilla (Daffodil flower), Carya glabra
(Hickory leaves), Capsicum annuum (Paprika), Helianthus annuus
(Sunflowers) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric).

10.

11.