Indigo: Toxic?

["Scott Dean" <nacspsd@acs2.acs.ncsu.edu>]

Poster: "Scott Dean" <nacspsd@acs2.acs.ncsu.edu>

I have a question for all the dyers and herbal experts out there:

I recently toured serveral plantation houses in Lousiana along the 
Mississippi (interesting but hot).  During one tour, when the guide
was talking about the production of indigo, she stated that 
processing of indigo from plant to dye was toxic even carciogenic.  
I had not heard this before but the guide could not elaborate (she 
had her speal and that was all she really know about it).

Is this true?  If so, is it the plant, the process, or the product, 
that is the problem.

-- Manus MacDhai
   Kappellenberg/Windmasters' Hill

mka
   Scott Dean
   NC State University
   Raleigh, NC  
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