There are still many potential carcinogens in tattoo inks. This was revealed by an analysis by the Swedish Medical Products Agency, which found prohibited concentrations in 96% of tests despite the entry into force of an EU regulation setting certain thresholds in January 2022. Even colored versions of tattoos are becoming increasingly popular in Europe; The designs are applied all over the skin, even on the eyes, cheeks and neck. Recent research in Sweden has shown that one in five adults has one or more tattoos. But doctors fear that the population may be increasingly exposed to pigments containing impurities from the manufacturing process. Spoilage of these products may cause cancer or other health problems.
Thresholds exceeded
Since January 4, 2022, the European Union has adopted a regulation limiting thousands of hazardous chemicals contained in inks for decorating leather. The standard establishes concentration limits for chemicals and specific rules for ingredient declaration and labeling of products. The rules apply to both the suppliers who place the products on the market and the tattoo artists who use these inks. Six months after the regulation came into force, the Swedish Medical Products Agency began collecting random samples of tattoo ink from companies and traders based in Sweden. Content analysis revealed that nearly half of the 46 inks tested contained excessive levels of contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and/or heavy metals such as arsenic, antimony, cobalt, lead and nickel. Some of these are potentially carcinogenic or cause allergies.
Recalled products
The researchers found no significant differences in products launched after the new regulations came into force compared to previous years. The inks tracked were both those produced in Europe and those imported from the United States or Asia. There are currently 2,350 inks on record, but many more of these products may be in circulation in Sweden, according to Elmira Tavoosi, head of the Swedish institution specializing in toxicology, which conducted the study. Following the investigation, 21 inks were withdrawn from the market. The results of the study will be presented to an EU working group shortly. In addition to concentrations, labeling issues were also identified: in 96% of the tested cases, the products did not comply with European and Swedish rules.
Relationship with skin cancer
The link between tattoos and the growth of cancer is the subject of a study at Lund University in southern Sweden. In the study, 36,000 Swedish adults aged between 20 and 60 were asked whether they had tattoos, how many and what size they had. Of those interviewed, 9,000 had skin cancer (malignant melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma) or lymphoma. Then, comparison was started with 27 thousand more people in the control group of the general population. According to the researchers, this connection exists, but it is not yet possible for the data to emerge before the publication of the study, which will end in December this year. Researchers complain that there is still very little work in this area. In addition to the clinic that started in Sweden in 2020, a clinic at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam for patients with complications such as skin problems from tattoos has also moved in this direction. After getting in touch, academics from the two universities decided to seek joint funding to continue their research.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
