Exposure of human lymphocytes and a human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line to Disperse Red 1 in vitro at concentrations of 1.0 μg/mL and 2.0 μg/mL increases the frequency of micronuclei and also causes mutations in the Salmonella assay (13 revertants/μg).

To assess the toxic effects of Disperse Red 1 (DR1), on reproduction, sexually mature male mice (Mus musculus, strain CF-1) are orally (gavage) treated with single doses of the compound (20-500 mg/kg). Disperse Red 1 treatment causes testicular toxicity, increases frequency of sperm with abnormal morphology and decreases fertility. An increased amount of DNA damage is also detected in testis cells 16.6 and 24.9 days after treatments with 100 and 500 mg/kg.