In today’s “This (Insert everyday product or food that you use or eat) Will Cause Cancer And Kill You” news, the latest threat to place your life in danger is tattoos. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has warned that some tattoo inks can be toxic, and has called for the banning of the potentially deadly substances. The chemicals in the tattoo ink are said to even cause cancer.
Tattoo inks and permanent make up may contain hazardous substances – for example, substances that cause cancer, genetic mutations, toxic effects on reproduction, allergies or other adverse effects on health. The European Commission has consequently asked ECHA to assess the risks of these individual substances on human health and to examine the need for EU wide restrictions on their use in tattoo inks.
Color tattoos pose a higher risk, but red was found to be the most dangerous.
“The most severe concerns are allergies caused by the substances in the inks and possible carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxic effects,” the ECHA said in the report.
Governments in the EU do not regulate tattoo ink, and many ink shops operate without government regulation, The Sun reported.
In the United States, the the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states they oversee tattoo ink, but also says they don’t regulate tattoo ink.
While state and local authorities oversee the practice of tattooing, ink and ink colorings (pigments) used in tattoos are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives. However, because of other public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence of safety concerns, FDA has not traditionally regulated tattoo inks or the pigments used in them.
The study found that cheap tattoo inks from China are mostly to blame for the tainted tattoos.
Do some research and use caution before you get your next tattoo so you don’t have any ragrets.
[TheSun]