PLoS One December 2015 PMID 24670978

Black tattoos entail substantial uptake of genotoxicpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in human skin and regional lymph nodes.

Karin Lehner, Francesco Santarelli, Rudolf Vasold, Randolph Penning, Alexis Sidoroff, Burkhard König, Michael Landthaler, Wolfgang Bäumler

Mentions

39
Peak: 27 in Apr 2021
across 5 sources since Mar 2019

Extended reach

535,151
potential audience

Total likes

78

Video views

135

Mentions per month

Mar 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Reddit27 posts
  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook1 posts
  • News1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect serious attention to the health risks posed by tattoo inks, with posts mentioning lymph nodes and chemical migration, exemplified by statements like 'the lymph nodes say it's a no go' and references to PAH accumulation beyond the skin. The tone varies from cautious concern to scientific curiosity, emphasizing the importance and potential impact of the study's findings on public health awareness.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the harmful implications of tattoo inks containing PAH, especially highlighting risks associated with large or certain types of tattoos.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity, referencing lymph nodes, chemical migration, and potential health impacts, indicating a strong engagement with the health concerns raised.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments include references to specific findings, such as the presence of PAH in lymph nodes and the effects of tattoo size, demonstrating thoughtful consideration and deeper involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discourse underscores concerns about long-term health risks and the need for awareness, suggesting that the findings could influence public perceptions and safety protocols regarding tattoos.

Abstract in brief

  • Black tattoo inks contain significant levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are potentially harmful chemicals, and these substances can be absorbed into the skin and regional lymph nodes following tattooing.
  • Research using a specialized extraction method found PAH in most of the tattooed skin samples and lymph nodes, with concentrations suggesting that some PAH remains in the skin while a majority may migrate to other parts of the body.
  • The study highlights tattooing as an additional route for PAH entry into the human body, raising concerns about potential health risks associated with long-term exposure to these chemicals.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Prof. Dr. Güner Sönmez
@DrGunerSonmez · X

Özellikle avuç içinden büyük dövmelerde risk daha fazla bulundu.

Aug 31, 2025 · 69 likes · 5 shares · 513,110 followers View post →
Fethiye Sönmez
@fethiyesonmez23 · X

RT @DrGunerSonmez: Özellikle avuç içinden büyük dövmelerde risk daha fazla bulundu.

Aug 31, 2025 · 5 shares · 9,840 followers View post →
mpetrus
@mpetrus19 · X

@CSLewisDaily The lymph nodes say it's a no go............ https://t.co/S5Kf9LlfAU https://t.co/INPcTI9yb9

Nov 23, 2024 · 5,272 followers View post →
mpetrus
@mpetrus19 · X

@naomirwolf Lymph node picture are referenced in this study https://t.co/S5Kf9LlfAU

Feb 28, 2024 · 5,272 followers View post →
Crimea
@EyGuzelQirim · X

RT @DrGunerSonmez: Özellikle avuç içinden büyük dövmelerde risk daha fazla bulundu.

Aug 31, 2025 · 5 shares · 564 followers View post →
うごちい
@ugotii · X

[仕組み,性質,危険性] Diamond Online:https://t.co/J2K7h5UfsM Plos One:https://t.co/e44n5BxV23 Scientific Reports:https://t.co/hKegghKyBm PubMed:https://t.co/hC2SHtZjzn YouTube(Kurzgesagt):https://t.co/4rpuNbc634

Dec 13, 2024 · 271 followers View post →

All mentions

Fethiye Sönmez
@fethiyesonmez23 · X

RT @DrGunerSonmez: Özellikle avuç içinden büyük dövmelerde risk daha fazla bulundu.

Aug 31, 2025 · 5 shares · 9,840 followers View post →
Crimea
@EyGuzelQirim · X

RT @DrGunerSonmez: Özellikle avuç içinden büyük dövmelerde risk daha fazla bulundu.

Aug 31, 2025 · 5 shares · 564 followers View post →
Belgin Çiçeksever
@Belginieksever1 · X

RT @DrGunerSonmez: Özellikle avuç içinden büyük dövmelerde risk daha fazla bulundu.

Aug 31, 2025 · 5 shares · 162 followers View post →
Prof. Dr. Güner Sönmez
@DrGunerSonmez · X

Özellikle avuç içinden büyük dövmelerde risk daha fazla bulundu.

Aug 31, 2025 · 69 likes · 5 shares · 513,110 followers View post →
うごちい
@ugotii · X

[仕組み,性質,危険性] Diamond Online:https://t.co/J2K7h5UfsM Plos One:https://t.co/e44n5BxV23 Scientific Reports:https://t.co/hKegghKyBm PubMed:https://t.co/hC2SHtZjzn YouTube(Kurzgesagt):https://t.co/4rpuNbc634

Dec 13, 2024 · 271 followers View post →
mpetrus
@mpetrus19 · X

@CSLewisDaily The lymph nodes say it's a no go............ https://t.co/S5Kf9LlfAU https://t.co/INPcTI9yb9

Nov 23, 2024 · 5,272 followers View post →
Marvin Scott Marvin
@Felix_From_Mars · X

@FancyFalseHalo @Chloe_DXM "the major part of tattooed PAH had disappeared from skin or might be found in other organs than skin and lymph nodes. ...tattooing has proven to be an additional, direct and effective route of PAH uptake into the human body." https://t.co/eKYsvAstWV

Aug 29, 2024 · 196 followers View post →
mpetrus
@mpetrus19 · X

@naomirwolf Lymph node picture are referenced in this study https://t.co/S5Kf9LlfAU

Feb 28, 2024 · 5,272 followers View post →
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