EFFECTS OF DYES ON ENVIRONMENT.

A series of studies have been initiated since the fall of 1970 to generate significant information on the subject. The paper summarizes some of these studies: namely, an improved universal color measurement method; a survey of trace metal content of dyes and their contribution to textile mill effluent; toxicity of dyes to anaerobic organisms; toxicity of dyes to aerobic organisms; acute toxicity of dyes to fish; effect of dyes on growth of green algae; and the effect of biological treatment on toxicity of dyes to fish. For the purpose of toxicity studies, a group of 46 dyes were selected to represent major application classes as well as to represent as many as possible of the important chemical groups.