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Body Art Program

Health Department warns of Body Art Dangers! : : : Why Regulate Body Art?
1st Tattoos and body piercings are everywhere, and have been
increasing in popularity and acceptance.

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As the popularity of body art and body piercing increases, it appears that it is no longer a passing fad but a more enduring practice among the general population. Injuries, infections, and disease transmission is increasing and a cause for concern.

The general population prior to 1998 assumed and believed that body art establishments were being inspected and monitored by public health authorities.

As a result the Wayne County Commission, to protect the health and welfare of the general public, adopted on April 14, 1998 Enrolled Ordinance NO. 98-253 that establishes environmental health standards and authorizes the Health Department to enforce the standards. The Health department has delegated the responsibility to the Environmental Health Division.

CONSIDERING BODY ART OR BODY PIERCING.SOME HELPFUL HINTS

  • Ask about the sanitizing and sterilizing methods.all body art establishments should be equipped with an autoclave or other approved sterilizing equipment.
  • A body art establishment should post in clear view the name, address, and phone number of the regulating agency.
  • A body art establishment should provide a potential client with both verbal and written health educational information that is needed to make an informed decision, as well as written information regarding a client's responsibilities for after-care.
  • Ask if the body art establishment has been inspected is has been issued a permit to operate by the Wayne County Environmental Health Division. The permit should be displayed in open view.
  • Body art establishments that provide earlobe-piercing services ONLY are exempt from regulation because there is no compelling evidence to indicate that these establishments pose a significant risk to public health.
  • Have all tattooing or piercing done by a body art establishment that has obtained a permit to operate from the Wayne County Environmental Health Division.

 

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