Some tattoo inks sold in Australia contain toxic metals and carcinogenic compounds at levels that would be illegal in the European Union, according to new research led by UNSW Sydney. The study, published today, analyzed the chemical composition of 15 black and colored tattoo inks from major international brands available in Australia. Although every ink tested failed current EU safety regulations, researchers emphasize that the findings are not a cause for panic but rather a call for regulatory reform.
The study, spearheaded by UNSW Professor William Alex Donald, revealed that all tested inks failed to meet at least one EU-regulated substance standard. Tattoo ink, a complex mixture of pigments, solvents, and additives, is designed to remain in the body long-term, creating a permanent exposure pathway that bypasses many of the body’s natural protective barriers.
Regulatory Gaps and Health Implications
Since 2022, the EU has enforced strict chemical limits for tattoo inks. In contrast, Australia lacks a binding national regulatory framework aligned with these standards, relying instead on voluntary compliance and sporadic government studies. Using advanced analytical techniques, researchers detected multiple regulated toxic substances, including eight metals restricted under EU law: antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, selenium, and tin. These metals exceeded EU limits in at least one ink sample.
Surveys estimate that over 20% of Australian adults have at least one tattoo. However, researchers caution against interpreting these findings as evidence that tattoos directly cause harm. The study measured the chemical composition of inks, not health outcomes, and did not assess the absorption or long-term effects of these substances.
“We need further targeted studies to confirm the specific chemical forms of some regulated substances,” Prof. Donald says. “This means examining how inks behave once injected into the skin and understanding how factors such as aging, sunlight exposure, and tattoo removal might influence long-term exposure.”
Origins and Methodology of the Study
The research project began as a high school science question, initiated by coauthor Bianca Tasevski during her final year of school. Dr. Jake Violi, lead author from UNSW, explains that the study combined two complementary chemical analysis techniques: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for metal concentration analysis and untargeted liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for organic compound screening.
The study found toluidine, a carcinogenic aromatic amine, in three of the 15 inks, and sulphanilic acid in nine inks, both banned under EU regulations. Bright-colored inks contained additional toxic compounds not currently restricted under tattoo-ink legislation, including high levels of pigment-associated metals like titanium, aluminum, and zirconium.
“Titanium was detected at concentrations of up to about 10,000 parts per million in a light-blue ink,” Dr. Violi says. “These metals, commonly associated with pigments used to improve color and stability, raise important toxicological questions.”
Global Perspective and Future Directions
Australia’s only government survey of tattoo inks was conducted in 2016, with an update in 2018, revealing that most inks would not meet European guidelines. Globally, investigations have documented widespread non-compliance with EU standards, indicating that tattoo inks remain a significant and under-regulated source of toxic metal exposure.
In the United States, only 11% of inks were labeled accurately. In Sweden, over 90% of inks failed labeling requirements, and in Turkey, most inks breached EU limits for metals. Researchers suggest that it is only a matter of time before global safety regulations align with European standards, necessitating focused work to identify and measure specific regulated chemicals.
“Because tattooing is now a mainstream form of body art, regular monitoring and aligning Australia’s standards with international best practice just makes sense,” Prof. Donald concludes.
The Cancer Council advises individuals considering tattoos to inquire whether the inks comply with European standards, specifically EU Commission Regulation 2020/2081, which sets safety criteria for tattoos. As tattooing continues to gain popularity, the call for comprehensive regulation and routine testing in Australia grows stronger.
