title: [Semi-permanent make up and tattooing equipment: safety and health issues].
abstract: The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE), at Machinery Directive Administrative Cooperation meeting, brought a problem to the attention of semi-permanent make up equipment sold in the European market, that may pose a health risk due to microbiological contamination. Considering that body adornment techniques are becoming increasingly popular, a study was carried out to evaluate the technical characteristics of such equipment and to collect information on the National and European regulatory situation. In most member states of the European Community, tattooing and semi-permanent make up activities are not regulated by specific laws. In Italy, the "Guidelines for safe tattooing and piercing practices" were laid down by the Ministry of Health in 1998 (Notes N. 2.8/156 of 5 February 1998 and n.2.8/633 of 16 July 1998). This paper discusses the need to implement the above guidelines and to harmonize European legislation on the subject.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro (I.S.P.E.S.L.), Dipartimento Igiene del Lavoro "Centro Ricerche Monte Porzio Catone", Via di Fontana Candida, 1 cap. 00040 Monte Porzio Catone, Roma.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mansi
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vonesch
authors.forename: Maria Nice
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Tini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Mambro
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianotti
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spagnoli
mesh_terms: D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012449:Safety; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*