Assessment of Toxic Metals and Hazardous Substances in Tattoo Inks Using Sy-XRF, AAS, and Raman Spectroscopy

Manso, Marta; Pessanha, Sofia; Guerra, Mauro; Reinholz, Uwe; Afonso, Cláudia; Radtke, Martin; Lourenço, Helena; Carvalho, Luísa; Buzanich, Ana Guilherme

doi:10.1007/s12011-018-1406-y

Cited by 25 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Although certain pigments containing no Ni could be found on the market, this is not true for all pigments, for example, inorganic Fe oxides pigments 25 . Both Cr and Ni are considered sensitizing elements, and to minimize potential health risk for sensitive individuals, it is recommended that its levels should not exceed 1 μg/g 16,29,30 . According to the newly released EU regulation, the presence of Cr VI and Ni in tattoo products should be mentioned on the package together with a warning.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Metals are often used in different substances as dyes or pigments, either in inorganic pigments, such as metal oxides, or in metal–organic complexes. Tattoo inks have been confirmed to contain harmful impurities that are known or suspected to cause adverse effects in humans, such as hexavalent chromium (Cr VI ) in Cr oxides; nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co) in iron (Fe) oxides; aromatic amines in azo‐colorants; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in carbon black 4,14‐16 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bocca et al 15 found that Cr VI in tattoo inks could be a possible cause of dermal adverse reactions, and 90% of the investigated inks contained Cr VI above the maximum allowed level (0.2 μg/g), but no information appeared on the label. An investigation on a set of tattoo inks with various shades 16 showed that the concentrations of Cr, Cu, and lead (Pb) were above (5‐ to 500‐fold), the maximum allowed levels regulated in ResAP(2008)1. In another published market study in Italy, several toxic elements, such as cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), Pb, vanadium (V), and manganese (Mn), exceeded 1 μg/g in some cases 20 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the same study, the sensitizing metals Cr, Ni, and Co were above the safe limit in 62.5%, 16.1%, and 1.8% of the studied 56 tattoo inks, respectively. The presence of the prohibited pigments and the prevailing pigments behind chronic allergic reactions (Pigments Red 22, Red 210, and Red 170) were revealed in several studies on tattoo inks, by different analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and mass spectrometry 9,16,21 . According to a previous report compiled by the Swedish Chemicals Agency in 2010, only 5 of 31 analyzed tattoo inks in various shades were free of hazardous substances, and the others contained aromatic amines (classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and allergenic) and different metals at levels above the recommended limits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analytical survey of tattoo inks—A chemical and legal perspective with focus on sensitizing substances

et al. 2021

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Background Tattoo inks have been reported to elicit allergic contact dermatitis. Objectives To investigate the labels and the contents of metals and pigments in tattoo inks, considering restrictions within the European Union. Methods Seventy‐three tattoo inks currently available on the market, either bought or donated (already used), were investigated for trace metals and pigments by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight tandem mass spectrometry. Results Ninety‐three percent of the bought tattoo inks violated European, legal requirements on labeling. Fifty percent of the tattoo inks declared at least one pigment ingredient incorrectly. Sixty‐one percent of the inks contained pigments of concern, especially red inks. Iron, aluminium, titanium, and copper (most in green/blue inks) were the main metals detected in the inks. The level of metal impurities exceeded current restriction limits in only a few cases. Total chromium (0.35‐139 μg/g) and nickel (0.1‐41 μg/g) were found in almost all samples. The levels of iron, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, and arsenic were found to covary significantly. Conclusions To prevent contact allergy and toxic reactions among users it is important for tattoo ink manufacturers to follow the regulations and decrease nickel and chromium impurities.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analytical survey of tattoo inks—A chemical and legal perspective with focus on sensitizing substances

et al. 2021

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“…The composition of the used inks usually involves almost insoluble pigments dispersed in water, additives such as formulants, dispersants, and preservatives and sometimes fragrances. The concentration of the main substances contained in commercial inks are presented in table 1 [29,30]. Organic colourants are currently used in the majority of the tattoo inks.…”

Section: Experimental Part Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on Reconstruction Techniques of the Nipple-Areola Complex

Marinescu¹,

Bejinariu²,

Badeana³

et al. 2019

Rev. Chim.

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Increasing the incidence of breast cancer worldwide is an alarming factor for the medical community and also an additional reason for accountability. Oncological treatment, followed by subsequent reconstructive stages, are traumatic events that without a doubt exert their adverse effects on the quality of life of these patients. The reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex represents the final element in the treatment of patients who have suffered from cancer breast and must follow basic principles such as: reproducibility, efficacy, short duration of treatment and low rate of complications. The present material presents the various surgical techniques dedicated to the reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex, presenting their advantages and disadvantages based on a 5-year study. The use of single-stage techniques associated with medical tattooing were the main factor in increasing the satisfaction of the patients included in the research.

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Heavy Metals in Tattoo Inks: Developing an Analytical Methodology for Accessing Customer Safety

et al. 2023

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Tattoo inks contains metal salts or different types of coloured organic molecules. To the best of our knowledge, there are few data on the concentration of hazardous metals in tattoo inks sold online or by makeshift hawkers. The aim of this work was to organize an analytical methodology to ensure the simultaneous quantitative determination of 18 elements in a complex matrix, like inks for tattooing, by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The total concentrations of metals in the 16 analysed tattoo ink samples ranged from 0.060 to 16.9 g kg−1. Zinc is the most present metal in the samples, in fact it is in the range 3.4–13882 mg kg−1. In three of the 16 samples the zinc concentrations exceed those required by legislation (2000 μg g−1). Cr concentration in all cases is higher than allowed (0.5 μg g−1). The weight loss by heating the ink samples to 105 °C and, subsequently, to 550 °C showed that in all cases the volatile component (ethanol, solvents, etc.) varies from 48 (Wh1) to 95 %, while the percentages of the residue at 550 °C ranged from 0 % (BK0) to 47 % (Wh1). Considering values limit, four of analysed samples should not be used by tattoo artists.

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Assessment of Toxic Metals and Hazardous Substances in Tattoo Inks Using Sy-XRF, AAS, and Raman Spectroscopy

Cited by 25 publications

References 14 publications

Analytical survey of tattoo inks—A chemical and legal perspective with focus on sensitizing substances

Analytical survey of tattoo inks—A chemical and legal perspective with focus on sensitizing substances

Study on Reconstruction Techniques of the Nipple-Areola Complex

Heavy Metals in Tattoo Inks: Developing an Analytical Methodology for Accessing Customer Safety

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