The Effect of Metal Contents of Frequently Used Tattoo Inks on Human Health
Project no. 20818 · Status: Kapanmış · 2019
Summary
Tattoos are popularly used today. Millions of people have had tattoos in recent years. Clinical observations and case reports often associate tattoos with adverse skin reactions. The number of carcinogenic cases seen in tattoo areas after tattoo applications is also increasing and they are associated with tattoo ink. Tattoo inks are evaluated within the FDA's permanent cosmetic products (PCP). However, the inks used in both permanent and temporary tattoo applications are not FDA approved. There is no specific legislation on tattoos/PCP in the General Product Safety Directive of the European Union. In different EU legislation such as the Cosmetic Product Regulation or REACH, tattoo inks are not included in consumer products that come into direct contact with the skin. More than 100 colorants and additives are used in tattoo inks. The pigments used are not specially produced as tattoo inks. It has been determined that there are different metal-based pigments in their contents according to the colors. The most well-known of these is mercury in the red pigment, which causes allergic reactions. In addition, tattoo inks containing metal salts such as iron (black), cadmium (yellow), chromium (green) and cobalt (blue) can cause allergic or photoallergic skin reactions and sometimes systemic reactions. In this study, metal amounts in tattoo inks of three different colors and brands preferred in the market were determined by ICP-MS. Samples were applied to the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), cell viability was measured by the WST-1 cytotoxicity method, and the change in inflammation was measured by ELISA by IL-18. In our study, the amounts of some elements measured in tattoo inks showed differences according to colors and brands. It has been determined that especially zinc and lead element are above the limit determined by EPA in some products. A statistically significant reduction in cell viability was seen at the lowest dilutions (0.1%) of all dyes. Significant release of IL-18 into the culture supernatant of all brands and colors was observed when compared to the control group. This shows that dyes can cause potentiation of the immune system. More toxicological studies are necessary to understand the effects of tattoo inks containing heavy metals and/or organic components.