Health

Tainted tattoos

by ryan | September 4, 2007 at 10:36 am

2736 views | 2 Recommendations | 2 comments

Tattoos carry much personal and cultural significance. The tattoo is art, personal expression, a statement of identity or just simply for fun. However, concerns stemming from a tattoo parlor in Ontario have taken the fun out of it for many who received tattoos from a machine which was not sterilized properly.

An estimated 2,400 people who are being tested for blood-borne diseases after possible exposure to dirty equipment at an Oshawa body art shop.

A $10 million class-action lawsuit has been launched against the Longhorn Bodyart Studio on behalf of customers who received a tattoo or body piercing between last Nov. 17 and Aug. 1, when a sterilizing machine is alleged to have malfunctioned periodically.

No statement of defence has been filed yet and none of the allegations has been proved in court. Earlier, Longhorn owner Hugh Towie called the lawsuit a "crock" and said everything was working fine.

While test results for hepatitis B and C take only days, HIV tests are done at three and six months after possible exposure because it takes time for the body to make antibodies that indicate the virus is present.

The chances that a blood-borne disease was transmitted are small, according to the Durham Region health department, but the uncertainty has turned lives upside down, say those who still have months to wait for test results.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Vinny

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 16:30 on September 4th, 2007

Ryan Nadel, Scary stuff.

andersm777

at 13:43 on September 5th, 2007

When getting a tattoo from any salon, you need to be comfortable with the way the establishment is run. You need to make their business your business.