Archived Aromatic Azo and Benzidine-based substance grouping: Diarylide Yellow Pigments

CAS Registry Numbers

• 5102-83-0
• 5567-15-7
• 6358-85-6
• 78952-70-2
• 90268-24-9

What are they?

• These five diarylide yellow pigments are industrial chemicals. They are not expected to occur naturally in the environment.

How are they used?

• These substances are colouring agents that are primarily used in ink and toners to create images. They are also used in paints and coatings, food packaging applications, plastics and rubber materials.
• Two substances are also used in personal care products such as hair dye and lipstick.
• Based on the most recent data, four of the five diarylide yellow pigments are manufactured in Canada or imported into Canada.

Why is the Government of Canada assessing them?

• These five diarylide yellow pigments were included in the Aromatic Azo and Benzidine-based Substance Grouping (under the Chemicals Management Plan Substance Groupings Initiative) for the screening assessment of potential risks to the environment and to human health.
• Prior to the assessment, these pigments were identified as a potential concern to the environment and human health.

How are Canadians exposed to them?

• Exposure of the general population of Canada to these five diarylide yellow pigments via environmental media is expected to be negligible.
• Canadians may be exposed to these pigments during the use of certain consumer products containing these substances.

How are they released into the environment?

• These substances may be released to the environment during industrial processes such as paper recycling; however, releases of these substances are expected to be low.

What are the results of the assessment?

• The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of these five diarylide yellow pigments, called a screening assessment.
• Screening assessments address the potential for harm to the general population of Canada (not including workplace exposures) and the environment.
• Results of the draft screening assessment indicate that although the five diarylide yellow pigments are not expected to accumulate in organisms, these substances may remain in the environment for a long time.
• The quantity of these five pigments that may be released to the environment is below the level expected to cause harm to organisms.
• The Government of Canada is therefore proposing that these five substances are not entering the environment at levels that constitute a danger to the environment.
• The Government of Canada is also proposing that these five diarylide yellow pigments are not harmful to human health.  

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• If the proposed conclusion is confirmed in the final screening assessment, the Government of Canada proposes that no further action be taken on any of the five diarylide yellow pigments.
• The Government of Canada published the draft screening assessment report on June 15, 2013, followed by a 60-day public comment period ending on August 14, 2013.

What can Canadians do?

• The health risks associated with a chemical depend on the hazard (its potential to cause health effects) and the dose (the amount of chemical to which you are exposed). These pigments are not a concern for the environment or human health at current levels of exposure.
• As a general precaution, Canadians are reminded when using any product to carefully follow any safety warnings and directions.
• Canadians who may be exposed to these five diarylide yellow pigments in the workplace should consult with their occupational health and safety representative about safe handling practices, applicable laws and requirements under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).