Safety alert regarding tattoo needles – An experiment at the Grenoble Synchrotron has confirmed the presence of metal nanoparticles from tattoo needles, and links the abrasive wear of the needles to contact with inks containing titanium dioxide
On 27 August, the magazine Particle and Fibre Toxicology published a scientific article concerning the safety of tattoo needles, tattoo inks and all permanent make-up products: specifically, the cause for concern is that a group of researchers has managed to detect the presence of nickel and chromium nanoparticles—originating from tattoo needles—in the lymph nodes of tattooed individuals, and suggests – whilst refraining from drawing definitive conclusions on this matter – that these metals, which can remain in the human body for years, may have a potential impact on health by triggering allergic reactions.
The full article can be viewed on the journal’s website. Distribution of nickel- and chromium-containing particles resulting from the wear and tear of tattoo needles in humans and its possible impact on allergic reactions It takes us through, step by step – in accordance with the standards of technical scientific publications – the methodology and all the details of the research, which is the result of a study carried out by scientists from 22 different countries, led by Ines Schreiver, of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, and this has required the use of the Grenoble Synchrotron,
An experiment carried out at the Synchrotron – one of Europe’s leading scientific facilities – has demonstrated that titanium dioxide The fact that some inks contain certain substances causes a great deal of wear and tear on tattoo needles, and that in that process of mechanical abrasion, Metal nanoparticles are released and travel through the body until they attach themselves to the lymph nodes.
In this way, they have also finally found a scientific explanation for the little mystery raised by a previous study from the same working group: the presence of iron, chromium and nickel, which were found in the bodies of people with tattoos, but whose inks had been analysed and were found not to contain any of these metals.
Where did the idea you’ve just demonstrated come from?
Results that are difficult to interpret from a previous 2017 study on the safety of tattoo inks
There is something curious about this discovery. The experiment carried out at the Synchrotron in 2017, attributed to this same group of scientists – the project was initiated by the Grenoble Synchrotron and the University of Munich – was based on a rather different hypothesis, although one also related to the safety of tattoos. In the initial research, the focus was on the inks.
From the outset, the hypothesis to be tested was that the presence of metal nanoparticles in the lymph nodes of people with tattoos originated from the tattoo inks used.It has even been shown that the metals present in tattoo inks – both ingredients and impurities – can travel through the body in the form of nanoparticles and attach themselves to the lymph nodes.
However, when they tried this approach, they found on up to 50 occasions that the metals detected in the lymph nodes of the tattooed participant in the study were not present in the tattoo ink used. They therefore came to the inevitable conclusion that the ink was not the only factor to be taken into account, and had to broaden the scope of their research. And that is when they turned their attention to tattoo needles.
Some conclusions from this study on needle safety for tattoo artists
At last, two years later, these researchers have managed, with the help of the synchrotron, to detect metal particles containing nickel and cadmium in skin and lymph node biopsies from people with tattoos, which were nanoparticle-sized, and which clearly did not originate from the tattoo inks used, but rather from the abrasion of tattoo needles.
From a health perspective, this discovery raises a major concern: when metal particles are large, they are less likely to be absorbed by the body and are usually expelled within a reasonably short time. On the other hand, Metals in nanoparticle form are more difficult for our bodies to detect, which means they can remain in our bodies for years, contributing to the onset of allergic reactions y systemic awareness.
Among the group’s conclusions, the use of tattoo inks containing titanium dioxide is not recommended. And although no estimates are given regarding the significance of the experiment, it is considered necessary to carry out epidemiological studies, based on thousands of cases, to determine the actual risks and health impacts associated with the presence of these metal nanoparticles in people with tattoos.
The Grenoble Synchrotron: one of the EU’s leading scientific facilities. Photo: Wikipedia
Are you interested in safety in the world of tattooing? At GTF, we specialise in training for tattoo artists, having trained over 800 professionals in hygiene and health standards. We also run a monthly report on tattoo inks recalled in the EU, via the alerts issued by the RAPEX system for consumers.