HLS 24RS-206 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 88
BY REPRESENTATIVE MOORE
HEALTH/DISEASE CONTROL: Urges and requests the United States Food and Drug
Administration to regulate tattoo ink
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the United States Food and Drug Administration to regulate tattoo ink.
3 WHEREAS, approximately one-third of Americans report having one or more
4tattoos.
5 WHEREAS, the global tattoo market was valued at one billion eight hundred ninety
6million dollars in 2022, and the global tattoo removal industry was valued at four hundred
7eighty seven million dollars in 2019; and
8 WHEREAS, more than two-thirds of Americans report the reason they obtain a tattoo
9is to honor or remember someone or something; and
10 WHEREAS, approximately one-quarter of Americans report regretting getting one
11or more of their tattoos; and
12 WHEREAS, nearly one-third of Americans who do not have tattoos say that seeing
13a tattoo on someone gives them more of a negative impression than positive impression of
14that person; and
15 WHEREAS, traditionally, the health risks associated with obtaining a tattoo include
16the short-term risk of bacterial infections and allergic reactions and the long-term risks of
17contracting a disease due to unsanitary conditions; and
18 WHEREAS, more recently, researchers have begun studying to determine if there
19is a link between tattoos and skin cancer; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 24RS-206 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 88
1 WHEREAS, in 2021, the European Union promulgated rules to regulate certain
2substances in tattoo ink and permanent make-up that contain carcinogenic precursors and
3other chemicals that may be harmful to human health; and
4 WHEREAS, researchers at Binghamton University have found evidence to suggest
5that color additives used in tattoo inks may contain molecules that may convert to known
6carcinogens by bacteria or when exposed to ultraviolet light; and
7 WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration traditionally regulates
8materials that come in contact with skin such as cosmetics; and
9 WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration has the authority to
10regulate tattoo ink; and
11 WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration released nonbinding
12guidance to assist tattoo ink manufacturers and distributors recognize situations in which
13tattoo ink may be contaminated with microorganisms; and
14 WHEREAS, despite a potential health risk, the United States Food and Drug
15Administration has not promulgated any rules or taken any traditional regulatory
16enforcement action to protect consumers from tattoo ink health complications.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
18urge and request the United States Food and Drug Administration to regulate color additives
19used in tattoo ink in order to promote the health and safety of United States citizens.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
21commissioner of food and drugs of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 88 Original 2024 Regular Session Moore
Urges and requests the United States Food and Drug Administration to regulate tattoo ink.
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