Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration has discovered that several tattoo inks contain 22 different heavy metals, including harmful substances like selenium, chromium, and arsenic. In response to these findings, the commissioner, Srinivas K, is preparing a formal request to the central government. This request will aim to ban these tattoo inks until proper standards and guidelines for their use and trade are established.
State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao noted that there are currently no regulations controlling the amounts of metal in tattoo inks or the procedures for safe application. To address this issue, the Food and Drug Commissioner will reach out to the Drugs Controller General of India, urging the creation of standards based on the Bureau of Indian Standards. This move is essential as most tattoo inks available in India are imported and lack regulation.
Srinivas expressed concerns over the potential health risks, stating that the heavy metals found in these inks could migrate to vital organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys. As the situation unfolds, there is hope for better regulation of tattoo inks to ensure public safety.
