Description

Coal tar dyes are synthetic dyes, once derived from coal tar which are currently derived from petroleum sources. Coal tar dyes are used in foods, cosmetics and personal care products, such as hair dyes, shampoos and deodorants, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and textiles. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been regulating color additives used in food, drugs and cosmetics since the early 1900s. Synthetic dyes must be certified to confirm that each batch meets established specifications. These colors are labeled as FD&C, D&C or external D&C, with F standing for food use, D for drug use, and C for cosmetic use. For example, FD&C Blue No. 1 is a synthetic blue color that can be used in foods, drugs and cosmetics. With the exception of hair dyes containing coal tar dyes, the FDA may remove any food, cosmetic or drug from the market if it can be shown that its use causes harm. Hair dye manufacturers must label any product containing coal tar hair dyes with a warning that the product may cause skin reactions in certain allergic individuals. Nine synthetic dyes are approved for use in food; 36 for use in cosmetics; 7 for use in medical devices and 36 for use in drugs. The manufacturer must have the FDA certify each batch of artificial color before using it in its products. These types of colors are different from non-certified colors. Non-certified colors are derived from plant or animal products and do not require each batch to have FDA certification.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, Coal tar dyes is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, Coal tar dyes is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), Coal tar dyes is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

Evidence that some artificial colors can increase hyperactivity, ADHD and learning difficulties in children.
There are some studies that suggest, but cannot conclude, that some dyes can contribute to cancer risk.

Other

Some artificial colors can cause allergic reactions such as itching and hives.

How Exposures Occur

Food
Many foods, especially processed foods, contain artificial colors.

Cosmetics
Many kinds of makeup use artificial colors to achieve their appearances.

Drugs
Many medicines and vitamin supplements contain artificial colors.

Solutions

How to detect Coal tar dyes

Read the ingredients on foods, medicines and cosmetics. In food, colors are added to make food appear more appealing. It also tends to replace the real food. For example, if a processed food is artificially flavored to taste like strawberries, but has no strawberries in it, the food might contain red dye to make the artificial flavor more appealing.

How to minimize exposure to Coal tar dyes

Eliminating processed food from your family’s diet can help eliminate a lot of artificial colors. Choose foods that do not contain artificial colors. Check your cosmetics items at the Cosmetic Safety Database to determine if your products contain artificial colors.

Alternatives

There are many foods on the market that do not use artificial colors. Read labels and vote with your wallet. Look for cosmetics that do not use artificial colors.

For More information

Other government agencies

US Food and Drug Administration

10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
http://www.fda.gov/default.htm

Nonprofit organizations

Center for Science in the Public Interest

1875 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20009
Main switchboard: (202) 332-9110
http://www.cspinet.org/index.html

Other websites

Environmental Working Group: Cosmetic Safety Database
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1