TY - JOUR
T1 - Formaldehyde Release From Predispersed Tattoo Inks
T2 - Analysis Using the Chromotropic Acid Method
AU - Liou, Yujie Linda
AU - Voller, Lindsey M.
AU - Liszewski, Walter
AU - Ericson, Marna E.
AU - Siegel, Paul D.
AU - Warshaw, Erin M.
N1 - Funding Information:
This report is the result of work supported by the American Contact Dermatitis Society Clinical Research Award.
Funding Information:
This work was supported by the use of facilities and resources of the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The contents do not represent the views of the US Department of Veterans Affairs or the US Government.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/9/1
Y1 - 2021/9/1
N2 - Allergic contact dermatitis to tattoo ink may last from weeks to years. Formaldehyde is a strong sensitizer that may be present in predispersed tattoo inks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of formaldehyde in predispersed tattoo inks using the chromotropic acid method. Tattoo inks from 39 companies were evaluated. Inclusion criteria included availability to purchase inks online through US tattoo product wholesalers or individual Web sites. Brands were grouped based on prevalence of use: common, uncommon, or rare. For common brands, 8 colors (primary colors, secondary colors, black, and white) were purchased. For uncommon and rare brands, 5 colors (primary colors, black, and white) were purchased. Each ink was tested with standard chromotropic acid method procedures; concentration of formaldehyde released was quantified using spectrophotometry. In total, 127 tattoo inks were purchased and tested. Ninety-three (73%) tested positive for formaldehyde release; 34 (27%) tested negative. Formaldehyde release did not correlate with color or brand. At least 1 ink from all brands (except 1) was positive for formaldehyde release. Approximately three-quarters of selected US tattoo inks tested positive for formaldehyde release. Clinicians should be aware of tattoo ink as a potential source of formaldehyde.
AB - Allergic contact dermatitis to tattoo ink may last from weeks to years. Formaldehyde is a strong sensitizer that may be present in predispersed tattoo inks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of formaldehyde in predispersed tattoo inks using the chromotropic acid method. Tattoo inks from 39 companies were evaluated. Inclusion criteria included availability to purchase inks online through US tattoo product wholesalers or individual Web sites. Brands were grouped based on prevalence of use: common, uncommon, or rare. For common brands, 8 colors (primary colors, secondary colors, black, and white) were purchased. For uncommon and rare brands, 5 colors (primary colors, black, and white) were purchased. Each ink was tested with standard chromotropic acid method procedures; concentration of formaldehyde released was quantified using spectrophotometry. In total, 127 tattoo inks were purchased and tested. Ninety-three (73%) tested positive for formaldehyde release; 34 (27%) tested negative. Formaldehyde release did not correlate with color or brand. At least 1 ink from all brands (except 1) was positive for formaldehyde release. Approximately three-quarters of selected US tattoo inks tested positive for formaldehyde release. Clinicians should be aware of tattoo ink as a potential source of formaldehyde.
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U2 - 10.1097/DER.0000000000000663
DO - 10.1097/DER.0000000000000663
M3 - Article
C2 - 33273225
AN - SCOPUS:85116958602
SN - 1710-3568
VL - 32
SP - 327
EP - 332
JO - Dermatitis
JF - Dermatitis
IS - 5
ER -