Brilliant Blue FCF as a Dye Tracer for Solute Transport Studies-A Toxicological Overview

Brilliant Blue FCF (C.I. 42090) was found to be a useful dye tracer to stain the flow paths of water in soil media. Being neutral or anionic, it is not strongly adsorbed by negatively charged soil constituents. The dye is used in food because its general toxicity is low. However, to stain the flow paths of water in soil, fairly large concentrations are required to ensure good visibility of the tracer. Therefore, toxic effects cannot be entirely excluded, and assessing the environmental risk is a necessity, especially when field research is conducted in an environmental context. A literature review was carried out to compile data on Brilliant Blue FCF toxicity. The literature suggests that there is no carcinogenicity or mutagenicity to rodents. Brilliant Blue FCF does not accumulate in plants or animals, but degrades slowly in the environment. From the toxicological point of view the dye can be considered as a suitable and environmentally acceptable tracer for studying solute transport in soil, especially in the field.