All Things Considered for February 19, 2021 Hear the All Things Considered program for February 19, 2021

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Lots of manufacturers offer a rainbow of ink colors. People can even go online and order a bottle. The Food and Drug Administration has not regulated the pigments in tattoo inks so far, but agency officials will investigate and recall tattoo inks if they hear of a specific safety concern, like bacterial contamination that could lead to infections. Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

What's In Tattoo Ink? Why Scientists Want To Know

Tattoo artists are unhappy about a new ban on blue and green pigments in Europe, while scientists say the basic science of tattoo ink is still fairly mysterious.

Lots of manufacturers offer a rainbow of ink colors. People can even go online and order a bottle. The Food and Drug Administration has not regulated the pigments in tattoo inks so far, but agency officials will investigate and recall tattoo inks if they hear of a specific safety concern, like bacterial contamination that could lead to infections. Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images

What's In Tattoo Ink? Why Scientists Want To Know

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All Things Considered