Unveiling hidden risks of lurking contaminants in tattoo inks

13 Oct 2023 --- German researchers have reviewed the levels of carcinogens and heavy metals present in tattoo inks before the implementation of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) framework. Tattooing has evolved into a widely embraced form of body art alongside EU regulations. With 24% of people in Germany sporting tattoos and another 21% contemplating the ink, demand for high-quality tattoo inks has never been more pronounced.

While modern tattoo inks have been available for years, it was only in 2003 that the EU initiated resolutions on tattoo ink ingredients. These resolutions, last revised in 2008, offered guidance on limiting or banning specific chemicals and pigments in tattoo inks due to potential health risks. However, their implementation varied across different EU countries — only a select few adopted legislation aligning with these recommendations.

In contrast, most EU member states have lacked concrete regulations on tattooing, leaving a gap in ensuring tattoo ink safety. To address this discrepancy and elevate the safety standards, the EU incorporated tattoo inks and pigments into the REACH framework in 2022. These changes brought about restrictions and bans on commonly used pigments and ingredients, altering the landscape of tattoo inks in the personal care industry.

This article reveals the lurking contaminants within tattoo inks, which are highlighted in the German review. For the industry, this means adapting to new standards, as well as the challenge of dealing with the controversy around discontinuing popular, non-compliant tattoo inks.

Contaminants in black tattoo inks
Tattoo inks often contain contaminants that deserve close attention. The researchers’ review focuses on understanding the contaminants present in tattoo inks before implementing the REACH regulation in 2022.The REACH framework in 2022 brought about restrictions on commonly used pigments and ingredients.

One prevalent group of contaminants in tattoo inks is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can pose health risks. These contaminants are prevalent in black tattoo inks, with concentrations ranging from 0.005 to an alarming 201 mg/kg. It is essential to note that the wide concentration range of PAHs is attributed to different factors. These factors include the variable extraction and quantification methods employed by various laboratories and differences in carbon black production.

Furthermore, carbon black, the critical pigment in black tattoo inks, is known to adsorb a significant portion of contaminants. Thus, the measured PAHs in tattoo inks might represent only a fraction of the contamination. The potential health risks associated with these remaining contaminants remain uncertain.

Other contaminants in black ink include phthalates, PAAs (Primary Aromatic Amines), phenol, dibenzofuran, benzophenone and hexachloro-1,3-butadiene.

Red flag raised on red ink
Ink colors other than black or gray are primarily contaminated with PAAs. These PAAs, which also have carcinogenic properties, are found in most tattoo inks. They come in varying concentrations depending on the color of the ink.

Green tattoo inks contained PAAs, with o-anisidine being the most concentrated up to 1775 mg/kg. The qualitatively detected contaminants include PAHs, phthalates and dibenzofurans, along with some substances unique to green tattoo inks. Each of these has an impact on health.

Organic contaminants found in blue tattoo inks include one PAH and four PAAs. The highest concentration is m-isopropoxyaniline, up to 500 mg/kg.

Brown tattoo Inks primarily contained PAAs, according to the study. Aniline and 4-methyl-m-phenylenediamine have the highest concentrations (over 200 mg/kg). Many contaminants have concentrations under 10 mg/kg and were identified only once.

PAAs and some PAHs are the dominant organic contaminants in orange tattoo ink. Aniline and m-isopropoxyaniline have the highest concentrations (over 100 mg/kg). The only PAH, naphthalene, has the lowestCadmium, chromium, manganese, nickel and lead were detected in all samples, along with strontium and vanadium. concentration in orange tattoo inks.

Red tattoo ink contains the most quantitatively measured organic contaminants. High concentrations of PAAs are present.

The only contaminants identified in violet tattoo inks are PAAs. 5-chloro-o-anisidine is the most concentrated at least 150 mg/kg.

All organic contaminants in yellow tattoo inks belong to the PAA group with varied concentration ranges, with o-anisidine having the highest concentration up to 1000 mg/kg.

Gray tattoo ink contains PAHs as the only organic contaminants. This color has the fewest reported organic contaminants, likely due to dilution with white tattoo ink.

Heavy metal contaminants
Inorganic contaminants, including cobalt, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel and lead, are another cause for concern outlined in the study review.

The REACH Regulation has established specific concentration limits for these elements in tattoo inks. It is crucial to note that tattoo inks can contain concentrations of inorganic contaminants that may surpass the established limits, rendering them non-compliant.

Cadmium, chromium, manganese, nickel and lead were detected in all samples, along with strontium and vanadium.Ink colors other than black or gray are primarily contaminated with primary aromatic amines.

Cadmium is most concentrated in orange ink (2.99 mg/kg) and lowest in red ink (0.14 mg/kg). At the same time, cobalt has the highest concentration in brown ink (6.44 mg/kg) and the lowest in yellow ink (0.02 mg/kg).

Chromium is most concentrated in brown ink (147.23 mg/kg) and lowest in white ink (0.84 mg/kg). Chromium(VI) was detected in most tattoo ink colors but not all. It had the highest concentration in red ink (4.09 mg/kg) and lowest in white ink (0.35 mg/kg).

Mercury was present in approximately 67% of tattoo inks, with the highest concentration in green ink (0.20 mg/kg) and the lowest in yellow ink (0.07 mg/kg). Manganese has the highest concentration in brown ink (98.79 mg/kg) and the lowest in orange ink (0.58 mg/kg).

Nickel is highly concentrated in green ink (11.70 mg/kg) and lowest in yellow ink (0.43 mg/kg). Whereas lead was highest in orange ink (14.80 mg/kg) and lowest in white ink (0.07 mg/kg).

Strontium was highest in brown ink (4.11 mg/kg) and lowest in red ink (0.06 mg/kg), and vanadium was highest in brown ink (11.05 mg/kg) and lowest in black ink (0.15 mg/kg).

Implications for the industry
The presence of contaminants in tattoo inks is a significant concern for the personal care industry. Ensuring that tattoo inks comply with the REACH Regulation is essential for maintaining the safety and quality of tattooing processes, flag the researchers.

Last year, more than 4,000 substances commonly found in tattoo ink were prohibited in the EU.

Compliance will require suppliers to reformulate their inks and adopt new pigments to replace those banned. For tattoo businesses, tattoo inks offered to customers must meet the new REACH standards, and marketing non-compliant inks would no longer be an option.

While the review is based on retrospective data prior to the regulation’s implementation, it serves as a benchmark for future assessments of contaminants in tattoo inks, state the researchers.

“It is clear that contaminants in tattoo inks have not been adequately evaluated by tattoo ink manufacturers, because tattoo inks tend to contain large amounts and a large number of different types of contaminants,” write the authors.

“To date, many new tattoo inks, black, white and colored, claim to be REACH-compliant. The limitations of this literature review are that only retrospective data prior to the implementation of the REACH Regulation were considered.”

The researchers forecast that in the future, specific contaminants and their concentration ranges for each tattoo ink color are likely to change due to new ingredients and new pigments of tattoo inks.

By Venya Patel

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