Analytical Results of Regular Tattoo Inks Sampled One Year Before Reach Regulation Aim Current requirements for colorants in tattoo inks are based on negative lists. The REACH regulation sets limits for these and new substances. This investigation should reveal how well this regulation was met at the time of publication of the new requirements and give some clues for producers and legislators alike to improve products and legislation. Methods Twenty tattoo inks of ten brands were bought in fall 2020. Samples were analysed for preservatives, pigments and contaminants (nitrosamines, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, primary aromatic amines, formaldehyde and many others). Results The composition of all investigated inks was non-compliant with the new REACH regulation. Every ink contained between two and seven substances above the legal limits: Forbidden pigments (70%), Acetaldehyde (>65%, Limit of quantitation (LOQ): 2 mg/kg), Isopropyl alcohol (50% according to declaration), Benzisothiazolinone (40%), Diethanolamine (>35%, LOQ: 10 mg/kg), Formaldehyde (>30%, LOQ: of the used method 3 mg/kg), o-Toluidine (25%), Phenoxyethanol (25%), Benzoic acid (15%), Benz(a)pyrene (10%), Methylisothiazolinone (10%), N-Methylpyrrolidone (10%), Phenol (5%). Conclusion REACH is a much higher barrier for tattoo ink producers than was ResAP(2008). This was expected. While the composition of 35% of the investigated samples was judged compliant with the Swiss legislation, no inks were compliant with REACH. Producers will have problems to resolve all issues until REACH gets into force. Surely, pigments and solvents can be adapted and aromatic amines and polyaromatic hydrocarbons avoided by choosing the right pigments. However, some substances like Acetaldehyde, Formaldehyde, Diethanolamine, Benzoic acid, Isopropyl alcohol or Phenoxyethanol can hardly be avoided completely or might be useful ingredients and should therefore be evaluated toxicologically and specific limits set as was done for other substances like aromatic amines or methanol.
Urs Hauri (Wed,) studied this question.