Body-piercing and tattoos can lead to life-threatening illnesses, including leprosy and skin cancer, according to a report by the European Commission.
The study found that up to half of piercings can lead to acute infections requiring medical treatment and reports that two people have died in Europe since the end of 2002 as a result of piercings.
Most EU countries require tattoo and piercing parlours to adhere to basic hygiene standards by using surgical gloves and sterilising needles. However, the Commission wants governments to take further action to address the issue of sterility and purity of materials, dyes and colours and the need for a proper toxicological and risk evaluation.
The report notes that most chemicals used in tattoos are industrial pigments such as car paint, which are injected into the skin.
The Research Commissioner, Mr Philippe Busquin, said he hoped the report would encourage people to think more carefully before getting tattooed or pierced and would inspire governments to introduce better controls.
"If people want to tattoo or pierce their bodies, we would like them to do so with proper health and safety guarantees. I hope the results from our EU research will raise awareness of the hazards associated with this practice and encourage practitioners in the tattooing profession to respect safety requirements and policy-makers across Europe to take appropriate steps to address this issue," he said.
The Commission's report follows the unhappy experience earlier this month of Ms Betty Nyang, a British tourist in Corfu who almost died when her tongue stud was struck by lightning. Her tongue-stud acted as a conductor, briefly subjecting her to an estimated temperature of 15,000°C and rendering her mute for three days.
The warnings are unlikely to deter the growing number of Europeans who are choosing piercings and tattoos as a fashion statement. Mr Evan Woods (28), an information analyst from Co Clare who lives in Brussels, told The Irish Times that the Commission's report would not prompt him to remove the tongue stud he has sported for a year.
"I have never had any problem with any of my piercings and I've never heard of anyone else having problems either. I wouldn't get rid of it," he said.
