Toxic tattoo ink warning; 4 people treated for burns.

Byline: DEREK ALEXANDER

TATTOO artists have been warned about a toxic ink risk after four people needed hospital treatment for burns.

Environmental health officers are now testing samples to find out what contaminated the rogue batch of grey ink.

A source said: "The ink was imported prepacked and the tattooist had no idea anything could be wrong.

"Environmental health officers went through his parlour with a fine-tooth comb and it appears that he has been cleared of any blame.

"The importer was contacted immediately and the ink was removed from the market."

NHS Lothian raised the alarm after four people who had tattoos at the same unnamed studio in Edinburgh within five months of each other ended up in hospital with burns.

They are still being treated by specialist skin doctors.

The city council issued an urgent warning to all local authorities about the ink, which is imported from the USA and sold UK-wide.

Tattoo studios across the UK were alerted last week.

Tattooist Dave McKinlay, owner of Archangel 1608 tattoo studio in Glasgow, said: "If a studio buys prepacked ink from a reputable wholesaler, it's taken for granted it's safe.

"Tattoos are more popular than ever before and, generally, the quality of ink has improved over the years."

Dr Andrew Mackie, Edinburgh City Council's scientific services manager, said: "When getting a tattoo it's important that people use a licenced premises."

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Publication:	Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland)
Date:	Apr 17, 2011
Words:	231
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