March 2024 PMID 38387033

What's in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market.

Kelli Moseman, Ahshabibi Ahmed, Alexander Ruhren, John R Swierk

Mentions

156
Peak: 27 in Feb 2024
across 6 sources since Feb 2024

Extended reach

533,297
potential audience

Total likes

146

Video views

612

Mentions per month

Feb 2024 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News90 articles
  • X / Twitter50 posts
  • Blogs10 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

These discussions reflect widespread concern and agreement about the health risks of tattoo inks, with examples like mentions of 90% of inks containing unlisted harmful chemicals and references to studies revealing known carcinogens and organ damage risks. The tone is serious and urgent, indicating the potential for real impact on public awareness and regulatory policies.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most posts strongly agree on the harmful potential of tattoo inks, emphasizing the unregulated and unsafe nature of the industry.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions demonstrate high curiosity and concern about the ingredients and health risks associated with tattoo inks.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts delve deeply into the topic, referencing specific studies, chemicals, and regulatory issues, showing active engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight significant implications for public health and industry regulation, suggesting a call for action.

Abstract in brief

  • The study examines 54 commercial tattoo inks from nine different brands in the US and finds that 45 of these inks contain unlisted additives or pigments, including substances like polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, which could pose health risks.
  • As tattoo ink regulation is limited in the US, many inks are not accurately labeled, raising concerns about possible allergic reactions and other health issues for consumers.
  • The findings emphasize the need for better regulation and transparency in the tattoo ink industry to protect public health.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
John Swierk
@swierklab · X

Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90% of the tattoo inks we looked at had major discrepancies with the listed ingredients!!! 1/n https://t.co/91bPXZhFZ4

Feb 22, 2024 · 56 likes · 15 shares · 1,005 followers View post →
P.D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist
@Mangan150 · X

What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 5, 2024 · 49 likes · 8 shares · 291,248 followers View post →
Julio
@JulioFdez79 · X

Muchos de los metales utilizados son carcinógenos conocidos (por ejemplo, cadmio, cromo, plomo, mercurio y níquel) o posibles carcinógenos (por ejemplo, cobalto y titanio), dependiendo de la especie química. https://t.co/7lJ6r5pXWR

Jul 9, 2025 · 11 likes · 2 shares · 36,157 followers View post →
Matthew Kessinger
@kessm05 · X

D203: This is some very interesting work coming from @swierklab on tattoo ink compositions! The introduction alone is a fascinating overview of how strictly/loosely tattoo inks have been regulated in the past up until now...it's pretty eye-opening. https://t.co/3jYDHl14C7

Feb 29, 2024 · 5 likes · 1 share · 501 followers View post →
ACS Analytical Chemistry Journals
@an_chem · X

Check out what's #InTheNews

Mar 14, 2024 · 4 likes · 1 share · 11,896 followers View post →
ACS Analytical Chemistry Journals
@an_chem · X

Check out what's #InTheNews

Jun 11, 2024 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 11,896 followers View post →

All mentions

null
@EvansVeris · X

@dewkissedherbas It’s a beautiful color but please … do research into how poorly regulated these pigments are. https://t.co/L06H4Ib36j And new studies from Sweden show that tattoo inks increase the risk of skin cancers and lymphoma.

Oct 24, 2025 · 1 like · 57 followers View post →
Manolo Veiga #sentidiño #Ferrolmola
@manolo_veiga · X

RT @JulioFdez79: Muchos de los metales utilizados son carcinógenos conocidos (por ejemplo, cadmio, cromo, plomo, mercurio y níquel) o posib…

Jul 9, 2025 · 2 shares · 1,196 followers View post →
The devil in disguise
@molokokiki · X

RT @JulioFdez79: Muchos de los metales utilizados son carcinógenos conocidos (por ejemplo, cadmio, cromo, plomo, mercurio y níquel) o posib…

Jul 9, 2025 · 2 shares · 810 followers View post →
Julio
@JulioFdez79 · X

Muchos de los metales utilizados son carcinógenos conocidos (por ejemplo, cadmio, cromo, plomo, mercurio y níquel) o posibles carcinógenos (por ejemplo, cobalto y titanio), dependiendo de la especie química. https://t.co/7lJ6r5pXWR

Jul 9, 2025 · 11 likes · 2 shares · 36,157 followers View post →
Trevor H
@TrevHarris77 · X

What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market | Analytical Chemistry https://t.co/RVBl47PMuY

Nov 3, 2024 · 215 followers View post →
Marmot
@0504Marmot · X

@tscheldt De overgrote meerderheid van de tatoeage-inkten die in de VS worden verkocht, is besmet met niet-vermelde ingrediënten die ernstige gezondheidsproblemen kunnen veroorzaken, waaronder orgaanschade, volgens een recente studie.

Oct 23, 2024 · 2 likes · 28 followers View post →
Marmot
@0504Marmot · X

@gunsnrosesgirl3 The vast majority of tattoo inks sold in the US are contaminated with unlisted ingredients that can cause serious health problems, including organ damage, according to a recent study. https://t.co/XWJmEi2Z6W

Sep 9, 2024 · 28 followers View post →
Tyrone Biggs
@TyroneBigg25341 · X

@dumbbitchkuu https://t.co/C0Ib3xZ0nw good luck

Jul 29, 2024 · 228 followers View post →
The Raman Room
@ramanroom · X

RT @an_chem: Check out what's #InTheNews

Jun 12, 2024 · 2 shares · 342 followers View post →
ACS Analytical Chemistry Journals
@an_chem · X

Check out what's #InTheNews

Jun 11, 2024 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 11,896 followers View post →
Raghav Agrawal
@impactology · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Apr 30, 2024 · 15 shares · 3,365 followers View post →
Shane Connor
@shanecon123 · X

@Rich_Cooper Numerous health risks for no tangible benefit. A Faustian bargain of the most dubious of circumstances. https://t.co/OSetQoDjuE

Mar 18, 2024 · 1,143 followers View post →
ACS Publications
@ACSPublications · X

RT @an_chem: Check out what's #InTheNews

Mar 14, 2024 · 1 share · 65,116 followers View post →
ACS Analytical Chemistry Journals
@an_chem · X

Check out what's #InTheNews

Mar 14, 2024 · 4 likes · 1 share · 11,896 followers View post →
Sophie Duméry Vive l'école !
@SophDum · X

#Encres de #tatouage : la foire à n'importe quoi. Celles vendues aux USA contiennent presque toutes des produits illicites. Ça fait peur, non ? https://t.co/wdwJYJJLHs

Mar 13, 2024 · 1,294 followers View post →
Xochi/Dominique Guillet
@Xochipelli1953 · X

Nouvelle étude de janvier 2024 sur les Encres de Tatouage Sur 54 encres, 45 contenaient des additifs et/ou des pigments non répertoriés https://t.co/CDSg1VlzlH

Mar 12, 2024 · 2 likes · 2,224 followers View post →
Maskul
@MaskulNitespore · X

RT @Mangan150: What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 10, 2024 · 8 shares · 524 followers View post →
Saqib Rabbani
@saqibrrabbani · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Mar 7, 2024 · 15 shares · 58 followers View post →
Jas. Leading Hordes to Data Won't make them Think.
@JasSpin1 · X

RT @Mangan150: What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 6, 2024 · 8 shares · 2,337 followers View post →
Dupont Daniel
@DupontDaniel2 · X

RT @Mangan150: What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 6, 2024 · 8 shares · 25 followers View post →
Natural Law Enforcer
@BChinatti · X

RT @Mangan150: What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 6, 2024 · 8 shares · 1,219 followers View post →
Cannibal Holocaust
@GenX973 · X

RT @Mangan150: What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 5, 2024 · 8 shares · 583 followers View post →
Tony Scott
@DIY_Tardis · X

RT @Mangan150: What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 5, 2024 · 8 shares · 1,627 followers View post →
P.D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist
@Mangan150 · X

What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink Nasty stuff to be injecting into your body. https://t.co/wvvJVjSWex

Mar 5, 2024 · 49 likes · 8 shares · 291,248 followers View post →
Frank D’Elia
@FrankDElia7 · X

An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market “Out of 54 inks, 45 contained unlisted additives(or) pigments….unlisted adulterants includepoly(ethylene glycol),propylene glycol,&higher alkanes. Many…adulterants pose…allergic or other health risks https://t.co/ycKjj90Nqu

Feb 29, 2024 · 2,708 followers View post →
Matthew Kessinger
@kessm05 · X

D203: This is some very interesting work coming from @swierklab on tattoo ink compositions! The introduction alone is a fascinating overview of how strictly/loosely tattoo inks have been regulated in the past up until now...it's pretty eye-opening. https://t.co/3jYDHl14C7

Feb 29, 2024 · 5 likes · 1 share · 501 followers View post →
˖✧
@WrittenText01 · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 29, 2024 · 15 shares · 520 followers View post →
Saber Atualizado
@AtualizadoSaber · X

(1) Publicação do estudo: Moseman et al. (2024). What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market. Analytical Chemistry. https://t.co/GBXT63khNT

Feb 28, 2024 · 1 like · 30,094 followers View post →
(((JReuben1)))
@jreuben1 · X

90% of tattoo ink contains chemicals that can cause organ damage https://t.co/kswJ8te89B

Feb 28, 2024 · 1,954 followers View post →
Libertatem
@pasdhypocrisie · X

https://t.co/wPUMxRERWJ

Feb 28, 2024 · 4,802 followers View post →
Hacker News 50
@betterhn50 · X

90% of tattoo ink contains chemicals that can cause organ damage https://t.co/vl02OxxApW (https://t.co/IHfCEdXEE9)

Feb 28, 2024 · 1,703 followers View post →
Hacker News 20
@betterhn20 · X

90% of tattoo ink contains chemicals that can cause organ damage https://t.co/MXvJEpHOEQ (https://t.co/OeZF7ztumB)

Feb 28, 2024 · 2,228 followers View post →
Hacker News 20
@betterhn20 · X

90% of tattoo ink contains chemicals that can cause organ damage https://t.co/MXvJEpHgPi (https://t.co/OeZF7zsWx3)

Feb 28, 2024 · 2,228 followers View post →
Bill Heyman
@BillHeyman · X

“Everybody's doing it—so, it must be safe!” Until it’s not... “What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market” https://t.co/Rp0tctxgpY

Feb 28, 2024 · 893 followers View post →
MakeTexasBlueAgain
@makeTXblueagain · X

Long story short: most tattoo inks contain known harmful and unknown substances. And yet the inked-up tough guys won't take a vaccine because they don't know what's in it https://t.co/CKLyT5cJl8

Feb 28, 2024 · 307 followers View post →
pratheek burkhard
@batman_in_samt · X

New study finds that 90% of tattoo ink contains harmful chemicals linked to organ damage, raising concerns about the safety of getting inked. #tattoo #healthconcerns https://t.co/0Pj4G9A6JJ

Feb 28, 2024 · 171 followers View post →
Palmarine128
@Palmarine128 · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 28, 2024 · 15 shares · 15,035 followers View post →
ACS Analytical Chemistry Journals
@an_chem · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 28, 2024 · 15 shares · 11,896 followers View post →
Professor Erwin Loh
@erwinloh · X

Researchers have found that 90% #tattoo inks contained ingredients that weren’t listed on the label, including some with known health effects. The findings highlight the need for tighter manufacturing regulations around tattoo inks. https://t.co/5pxz4C4MM4 https://t.co/UIEDWss6GO

Feb 28, 2024 · 1 like · 9,549 followers View post →
Robert Beard
@robert0461 · X

"More than half contained unlisted polyethylene glycol, which can cause organ damage through repeated exposure, researchers  warned, while 15 contained propylene glycol, a potential allergen." https://t.co/vdwM08CnuB

Feb 28, 2024 · 2,269 followers View post →
Gongfang Hu 胡公方
@gongfang_hu · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 25, 2024 · 15 shares · 103 followers View post →
ACS Binghamton
@ACSBinghamton · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 23, 2024 · 15 shares · 24 followers View post →
Dalvin D. Méndez Hernández
@dalquimero · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 23, 2024 · 14 shares · 934 followers View post →
Dalvin D. Méndez Hernández
@ddm3ndez · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 23, 2024 · 15 shares · 938 followers View post →
Jacob Spies
@jacobaspies · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 23, 2024 · 15 shares · 146 followers View post →
Bibi_Ahmed
@Bibi__Ahmed · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 23, 2024 · 15 shares · 15 followers View post →
Dr. Lindsey Swierk
@LindseySwierk · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 23, 2024 · 15 shares · 1,008 followers View post →
Aaron W. Harrison
@AaronWHarrison · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 22, 2024 · 15 shares · 225 followers View post →
Kyle Grice
@GriceChemistry · X

RT @swierklab: Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90%…

Feb 22, 2024 · 15 shares · 7,227 followers View post →
John Swierk
@swierklab · X

Ever wonder what’s in a tattoo ink? Turns out lots of things that shouldn’t be there. Our latest in @an_chem finds that 90% of the tattoo inks we looked at had major discrepancies with the listed ingredients!!! 1/n https://t.co/91bPXZhFZ4

Feb 22, 2024 · 56 likes · 15 shares · 1,005 followers View post →