Study Finds Majority of Tattoo Inks Contain Potentially Dangerous Unlisted Additives

A study, published this week in the journal Analytical Chemistry, found that a majority of tattoo inks sold within the United States contain unlisted additives and pigments, some of which could pose significant health risks.

The team of scientists, led by Jonn Swierk of Binghamton University’s Department of Chemistry, determined that 45 of the 54 inks they studied contained unlisted adulterants, including polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and higher alkanes. Many of the contaminants could cause allergic reactions or pose other health risks. Polyethylene glycol, in particular, can cause anal hemorrhaging and renal failure.

Many of the inks analyzed also contain 2-phenoxyethanol, which can cause toxic effects if absorbed into one’s skin in high concentrations. It can also result in damage to the kidneys, lungs, and nerves, according to the National Institutes of Health.

“Historically, tattoo inks have been under-regulated in the US market,” Swierk noted in the report “We’re hoping the manufacturers take this as an opportunity to reevaluate their processes, and that artists and clients take this as an opportunity to push for better labeling and manufacturing,” he said.

Because tattoos are regulated as a cosmetic product in the United States, they’re not subject to approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to Pew Research, more than 100 million Americans have at least one tattoo.

Swierk assured readers that the team’s goal wasn’t to defame the tattoo industry, but rather to empower it. “Our goal in a lot of this research is to empower artists and their clients,” Swierk said. “Tattoo artists are serious professionals who have dedicated their lives to this craft and they want the best possible outcomes for their clients.”