Harmful beauty – Temporal profile of urinary phthalate metabolites in tattooed volunteers from Slovakia

• Published in: Toxicology letters Vol. 410; pp. 96 - 106
• Main Authors: Kolena, Branislav, Prochácková, Natália, Hlisníková, Henrieta, Nagyová, Miroslava, Petrovičová, Ida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Adult; Biological Monitoring; Biomonitoring; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coloring Agents - adverse effects; Endocrine disruption; Endocrine Disruptors - urine; Female; Health; Humans; Male; Phthalates; Phthalic Acids - urine; Slovakia; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Tattoo; Tattooing - adverse effects; Xenobiotics; Young Adult; Slovakia; Endocrine disruption; Tattoo; Biomonitoring; Xenobiotics; Health; Phthalates
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2025.06.005
• ISSN: 0378-4274; 1879-3169

Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, but tattoo inks often contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors. The study aimed to biomonitoring of phthalate metabolites. Seven tattooed subjects were recruited; 24-hour urine samples were collected over five consecutive days. High molecular weight phthalates (HMWP) and low molecular weight phthalates (LMWP) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC MS/MS), and metabolite profiles were analyzed before and after the tattoo session. Tattoo characteristics and consumer behaviours (CSB) were evaluated. Peak concentrations were observed in 48.94 % of urine samples for LMWP and 47.27 % for HMWP, particularly on or after the tattoo day. Mono-hydroxy-iso-nonyl phthalate (OH-MiNP) concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with colored tattoos (p = 0.029). A positive correlation was observed between mono-iso-nonyl phthalate (MiNP) and tattoo size (r = 0.875, p = 0.010). OH-MiNP (r = 0.759, p = 0.048, Day 1), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP, r = 0.767, p = 0.044, Day 5) and mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (cx MEPP, r = 0.755, p = 0.05, Day 5) were associated with CSB. Tattooing could be a potential source of phthalate exposure, tattoo size, and ink color could play a role. The small sample size of subjects may have influenced the possibility of false positive results. [Display omitted] •Tattooing may contribute to phthalate exposure.•Tattooing increases urinary phthalate levels, indicating inks (mainly colored) as a likely phthalate source.•To reduce health risks, educate consumers about phthalates in tattoo inks; research safer alternatives.