Tattoo ink may be toxic, study suggests

Getting inked may lead to long-term skin problems and an increased risk of cancer, according to a new report by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

The organization is calling for the ban of the tattoo ink, The Sun reported. Risks included serious allergic reactions and painful itching that can last for years.

Red ink was found to be the most dangerous and blue, green and black inks also came under scrutiny. According to The Sun, the ECHA’s report will likely lead in the ban of certain inks and chemicals in the EU.

“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.

Tattoo inks are not covered by government regulations applying to drugs or food in the EU and many shops operate without government regulation, The Sun reported.

In the U.S., tattoo ink is subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation as cosmetics and color additives but, due to other public health priorities and previous lack of evidence of safety concerns, the organization has not traditionally regulated tattoo ink and pigments.

A recent influx of cheap Chinese tattoo inks that aren’t subject to safety checks are to blame, Rick Stevens, president of the Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union in the UK, told The Sun.