Tattoo prevalence has been increasing in the last 25 years, but specific regulations on tattoo inks are still missing. In the European Union, no supranational regulation is available and only few national provisions cover them. In the United States, tattoo inks are classified as cosmetics but are not approved for injection into the dermis. Health risks for consumers may derive from microbiological contamination and the presence of toxic substances or nanomaterials. However, current regulations and non-binding recommendations, where present, only address the microbiological and chemical risks, completely overlooking nanotoxicity. The aim of this paper is to promote awareness of the risks associated with tattoo inks and the nanomaterials contained therein. In particular, the need for a harmonised regulation or, at least, a set of minimal requirements is highlighted to improve the safety of tattoo inks and market surveillance by regulatory authorities.

The safety of tattoo inks: Possible options for a common regulatory framework / P. Minghetti, U.M. Musazzi, R. Dorati, P. Rocco. - In: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. - ISSN 0048-9697. - 651(2019 Feb 15), pp. 634-637. [10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.178]

The safety of tattoo inks: Possible options for a common regulatory framework

P. Minghetti
Primo
;
U.M. Musazzi
Secondo
;
P. Rocco
Ultimo
2019

Abstract

Tattoo prevalence has been increasing in the last 25 years, but specific regulations on tattoo inks are still missing. In the European Union, no supranational regulation is available and only few national provisions cover them. In the United States, tattoo inks are classified as cosmetics but are not approved for injection into the dermis. Health risks for consumers may derive from microbiological contamination and the presence of toxic substances or nanomaterials. However, current regulations and non-binding recommendations, where present, only address the microbiological and chemical risks, completely overlooking nanotoxicity. The aim of this paper is to promote awareness of the risks associated with tattoo inks and the nanomaterials contained therein. In particular, the need for a harmonised regulation or, at least, a set of minimal requirements is highlighted to improve the safety of tattoo inks and market surveillance by regulatory authorities.
tattoo ink; nanomaterials; heavy metal; tattoo license; legislation
Settore CHIM/09 - Farmaceutico Tecnologico Applicativo
15-feb-2019
15-set-2018
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/590063
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