Baylor Health Care System
 

Dyes - cloth

Definition

Cloth dyes are chemicals used to color cloth. Cloth dye poisoning occurs when someone swallows large amounts of these substances.

Poisonous Ingredient

  • Corrosive alkali

Today it is rare to find this poisonous ingredient in most household cloth dyes.

Most common household cloth dyes are made from non-poisonous substances, such as:

  • Mild soaps
  • Pigments
  • Salts

Although these substances are generally considered not dangerous, they can cause problems if swallowed in large amounts, especially in small children.

Where Found

  • Certain dyes to color cloth or fabric

Review Date: 2/27/2008
Reviewed By: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

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