{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000101","name":"Textile Dyeing (Acid Dyes, Reactive Dyes, Metal Mordants)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"craft","tags":["textile dyeing","acid dye","reactive dye","mordant","chrome","copper","iron","fiber art"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Home textile dyeing using acid dyes (protein fibers — wool, silk), reactive dyes (cellulose — cotton, linen), natural dyes with metal mordants, and direct/all-purpose dyes (Rit, iDye). Metal mordants: chrome (potassium dichromate — Cr(VI), IARC Group 1), copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, alum (potassium aluminum sulfate). Chrome mordant is the most effective for colorfastness but is a potent carcinogen and should be avoided by home dyers. Acid dye and reactive dye powders are respiratory sensitizers when inhaled during weighing.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.663,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"home dyers using chrome mordant, dye powder handlers","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Chrome mordant (Cr(VI)): IARC Group 1 carcinogen — NEVER use at home","Dye powder inhalation during weighing: respiratory sensitization","Copper sulfate mordant: environmental concern in wastewater","Steam/vapor exposure during heated dye bath"],"exposure_routes":"Inhalation (powder, steam); dermal (mordant, dye solution)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_brief"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"weekly","scenarios":["Dye powder inhalation during weighing and mixing (respiratory sensitization)","Chrome mordant: Cr(VI) dermal and inhalation exposure (IARC Group 1)","Copper sulfate: GI irritant if ingested, environmental concern in wastewater","Steam/vapor inhalation during dye bath heating"],"notes":"NEVER use chrome (potassium dichromate) mordant at home — Cr(VI) is IARC Group 1 carcinogen. Alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) is the safest metal mordant. Acid dyes (Jacquard, ProChem): respiratory sensitizers in powder form — wear N95 during weighing, mix in ventilated area. Reactive dyes: alkaline activation solution irritates skin — wear gloves. All dye wastewater: dilute heavily before drain disposal (most municipal wastewater can handle dilute dye)."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"NEVER use chrome (potassium dichromate) mordant at home. Wear N95 during dye powder weighing. Wear gloves during all dyeing. Work in ventilated area. Use alum as metal mordant (safest). Dilute dye wastewater before drain disposal.","safer_alternatives":["Alum mordant (safest metal mordant — replaces chrome)","Pre-dissolved liquid dyes (eliminates powder inhalation)","Natural dyes with tannin mordant (no metal mordant needed for some fibers)","Rit or iDye all-purpose (lower hazard than professional dyes for simple projects)"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Working without ventilation or respiratory protection","meaning":"Chemical exposure at hobby level can cause occupational-grade health effects.","action":"Use ventilation and PPE appropriate to the specific hazard."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Using appropriate PPE and ventilation for the specific task","meaning":"Exposure controlled to safe levels.","verification":"Match PPE to specific hazard (N95 for dust, organic vapor for solvents, supplied air for isocyanate)."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What are the specific chemical hazards of this hobby material?","why_it_matters":"Hobby exposures lack occupational protections but cause the same health effects.","good_answer":"SDS available, specific PPE identified, ventilation plan in place.","bad_answer":"No hazard awareness or PPE use."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Alum mordant","notes":"safest metal mordant — replaces chrome"},{"name":"Pre-dissolved liquid dyes","notes":"eliminates powder inhalation"},{"name":"Natural dyes with tannin mordant","notes":"no metal mordant needed for some fibers"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"OSHA Chromium(VI) Standard","citation":"29 CFR 1910.1026","requirements":"PEL: 5 μg/m³ TWA for Cr(VI). Engineering controls, PPE, medical surveillance required at action level.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OSHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Dye wastewater: dilute heavily before drain. Unused chrome mordant: HHW facility.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"varies"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000043","name":"Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))","role":"chrome_mordant","concentration_pct":"1-5 owf"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000048","name":"Copper nanoparticles (nano-Cu)","role":"copper_mordant","concentration_pct":"2-5 owf"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","name":"Formaldehyde","role":"trace","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000043","compound_name":null,"role":"chrome_mordant","typical_concentration":"1-5% owf"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000048","compound_name":null,"role":"copper_mordant","typical_concentration":"2-5% owf"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","compound_name":null,"role":"trace","typical_concentration":"trace"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["textile dyeing (acid dyes, reactive dyes, metal mordants)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Optimum Nutrition","manufacturer":"Glanbia","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Best-selling protein powder"},{"brand":"Orgain","manufacturer":"Orgain","market_position":"premium","notable":"Organic plant-based protein"},{"brand":"Muscle Milk","manufacturer":"PepsiCo","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Mass-market protein supplement"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"OSHA Chromium(VI) Standard (29 CFR 1910.1026)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"29 CFR 1910.1026","id":"src_627dbd83"},{"id":"iarc_chromium_v100c_2012","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100C: Arsenic, Metals, Fibres and Dusts — Chromium (VI) Compounds Group 1 (Lung Cancer, Nasal/Sinus Cancer), Nickel Compounds Group 1, Beryllium Group 1 (2012)","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000043"},{"id":"epa_mcl_inorganics","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations — Inorganic Chemicals (40 CFR 141.62); Total Chromium MCL 100 μg/L, Barium MCL 2 mg/L, Uranium MCL 30 μg/L, Selenium MCL 50 μg/L, Manganese SMCL 50 μg/L","year":1992,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000043"},{"id":"scenihr_nano_2015","type":"regulatory","title":"EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR): Final Opinion on the Safety of Nanomaterials in Food — Nano-CeO2 as diesel fuel additive (Eolys); biopersistent lung particle; NTP 2-year inhalation bioassay lung tumors at high dose; redox-active antioxidant/pro-oxidant dual behavior (2015)","year":2015,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000048"},{"id":"niosh_nano_cu_2012","type":"regulatory","title":"NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 63: Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide — Nano-Cu comparative toxicology; copper nanoparticle inhalation toxicology; REL 1 mg/m³ copper dust/mist; nano-specific engineering controls guidance (2012)","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000048"},{"id":"iarc_100f_form","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Formaldehyde","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"id":"epa_form_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Formaldehyde (draft)","year":2010,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"type":"monograph","title":"International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)","jurisdiction":"International","id":"src_d9ebbaf2","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:22:14.657Z"}}