In recent decades, millions of Australians have embraced body art — an estimated 30 percent of adults have a tattoo. Over a third of those with tattoos have five or more pieces.
Trend reporting from industry and lifestyle sources suggests designs are becoming increasingly large, colorful, and complex. Although tattoos have become more common, less attention has been paid to what’s in the inks being injected into people’s skin.
In a study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, our team analyzed tattoo inks available in Australia. We found they contain carcinogenic organic chemicals and toxic metals at levels that wouldn’t meet existing European safety standards.
Tattoo ink regulations
Injected into living tissue, tattoo inks are designed to last essentially permanently. Once in the body, pigments can persist, migrate through the lymphatic system, or slowly break down over time.
Concerns about tattoo ink composition are not new. In Europe, early guidance on such inks emerged more than a decade ago, and was initially non-binding. As tattooing became more widespread, regulators moved toward stricter controls.
Since 2022, the European Union has enforced binding chemical limits on tattoo inks, restricting metals, including arsenic, cadmium, and lead, as well as specific organic compounds that are known or suspected to be carcinogenic. Tattoo inks that don’t comply cannot be legally sold in EU member countries.
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