“The regulations we are currently working off of went into effect in 1998, so it’s been a while since the rules have been seriously looked at and updated so they are just making sure that we are current,” said Jennifer Wentzel division director of environmental health, Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County.
The new Ohio regulations slated to start Sept. 1 include increased standards for sterilization, and an exposure control plan must be in place within a year, Wentzel said.
“Exposure control is going to contain anything that could happen in a body art establishment. If someone should start bleeding, if they’ve thrown up, just any kind of emergency that would involve body fluid,” Wentzel said.
Detailed record keeping on ink usage and suppliers also is required.
“If there is a recall or if there is possibly an infection which could be traced to a contaminated ink lot, we could go in and see who else used that ink in the facility,” Wentzel said, adding that the 37 tattoo parlors in her jurisdiction are already inspected every year.
The new rules also impact businesses that offer piercings.
Piercing of private parts of minors, even with a parent’s permission, are outlawed and piercing guns are only permitted on earlobes now, Wentzel said.
Jesse Rumsey, a professional body piercer at Immortal Canvas in Liberty Twp. said he is a member of Association of Body Art Professionals and has been active in updating the new regulations.
“In our shop, we try to hold ourselves to even above the highest standards. That is true of most reputable shops,” Rumsey said. “Personally, I can’t wait to see the day when piecing guns are banned.”
He said piercing guns pose health and safety issues.
Tattoo artists said these new statewide rules merely put into writing what most reputable tattoo parlors are already doing.
Staff writer Lauren Pack contributed to to this report
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