Aromatic amines from azo dye reduction: status review with emphasis on direct UV spectrophotometric detection in textile industry wastewaters

The present status of origins, known hazards, release restrictions and environmental fate of aromatic amines is reviewed. The specific case of aromatic amines arising from the reduction of the azo bond of azo colorants is addressed, with emphasis on the recalcitrance of azo dyes, their demonstrated vulnerability to azo bond reduction through different mechanisms and the lack of data on the biodegradability of the resulting amines. The evolution and present array of analysis methods for aromatic amines in water samples is reviewed, highlighting the increased sophistication and sensitivity attained, and referring a few efforts towards fast analysis methodologies. The case for the application of direct ultraviolet spectral analysis with advanced deconvolution techniques for the monitoring of aromatic amines in textile effluent treatment is presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.