Could your tattoo give you cancer? Scientists fear toxins from ink could enter blood and accumulate in your major organs

Scientists called for more research and regulation into tattoo inks



Say nanoparticles of ink could accumulate in spleen and kidneys



Scientists warn 'no doubt substances can be toxic'

Tattoo fan: David Beckham shows off his array of tattoos. Scientists have called for more research into the potential dangers of tattoo inks

Toxins from tattoo ink could be absorbed into the body and cause cancer, scientists have revealed.



Experts believe ink nanoparticles could enter the bloodstream and accumulate in the spleen and kidneys, harming the body's ability to filter impurities.



Studies have found that some ink used in the UK contains known carcinogens and scientists want more regulation of the dyes used by the industry.



Public Health England says that some inks contain substances such as cobalt and mercury.



Scientists want similar regulations on tattoo dyes that have been introduced on the smoking and sunbathing industries.

Desmond Tobin, director of Bradford University's centre for skin sciences, told The Sunday Times that he was shocked to discover there was no regulation on inks.

He said: 'We need to do more work, but there is no question that these substances can be toxic.'

About 20 per cent of British adults have a tattoo and last month Public Health England published new guidance on the industry.

It said: 'Some inks are sold with little or no accompanying product data, and their composition may remain uncertain even at the point of use.'

The report found that red colours have been found to contain mercury, while greens and blues have been found to contain cobalt.



A study by Jorgen Serup, Copenhagen's university hospital's professor of dermatology, found carcinogenic chemicals in 13 of 21 commonly used European tattoo inks.



Angelina Jolie is a known tattoo fan. One in five Britons have been inked, according to estimates

He told paper: 'Millions of Europeans are now being tattooed with chemical substances of unknown origin.'

Professor Serup wants people to be given written information about the risks of tattoos and wants further research into the potential dangers.

Two years ago the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched an investigation after research found inks contained potentially dangerous substances including metals and hyrocarbons that are known carcinogens.