Health inspectors warn about cancer risk with some tattoo inks

Over 40% of the black tattoo ink used in the Netherlands contains potentially carcinogenic substances, according to research by the Dutch food and product safety board NVWA.

The board analysed the different types of ink used in the Netherlands and found many black inks contain Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, some of which are considered to be carcinogens.

Europe has imposed limits on the amount of PAHs pigments can contain but their use is banned altogether in the Netherlands.

In addition, some 30% of the red, yellow and orange inks tested also contained pigments with cancer causing agents known as aromatic amines, the NVWA said.

The NVWA is urging people who want to have tattoos to make sure they go to a licenced tattooist and to discuss the origins of the inks used before work starts.

Dutch tattooist Henk Schiffmacher told broadcaster Nos there use to be a handful of tatttoo shops in the Netherlands. ‘Now there are a thousand and one on every corner,’ he said. ‘They all have their own colours and mixing methods.’

‘We used to be a sort of fairground attraction,’ he said. ‘Now we are an economic factor and all sorts of institutes are getting involved.’