Activists from European countries are preparing a petition to the European Parliament to lift the ban on the colors "blue 15" and "green 7", which were widely used in the manufacture of tattoos. Tattoo parlors are afraid for their existence, Kurier newspaper writes.
European Chemicals Agency ECHA "does not want to ban tattooing, but wants to make it safer," says the agency's website. According to experts, the pigments "blue 15" and "green 7" are prohibited for use in hair dyes due to the potential risk of harm to health. In this regard, it is not recommended to use them on the skin.
Austrian tattoo artist and petition co-author Erich Mehnert criticized the lack of serious research on tattoo dyes. "They are based on simple assumptions, it is absolutely not proven that these two pigments are harmful," the activist insists.
Tattooing traditional Asian motives has become impossible, Meert complains. There will be no green grass, no green dragon, no blue sky. The ban will increase the black market and thus the security will suffer. In Austria, around 1400 tattooists are subject to this regulation.
The popular pigments Blue 15 and Green 7 are banned at the beginning of the year. They are found in two thirds of tattoo dyes. The industry now has two years to adjust to the changes. However, the innovation met with resistance among tattooists. In their opinion, the ban threatens the existence of the industry. The petition to the European Parliament should make the desired changes.
