Regulations on Body art for VI in the near future
The Governor, who was at the time delivering his speech from the throne, announced this decision while addressing other Government officials at the First sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly, today September 3, 2012.
Governor McCleary said “it would not have escaped your notice that body piercing and tattooing are the fastest growing forms of body decoration among young people in the community. These practices raise public health and safety concerns regarding the equipment and associated materials used, increased risk of transmission of blood-related diseases, the artists´ training, the physical environment where the body art is performed and the paucity of regulations and enforcement associated with the procedures.”
He added, that if body art businesses within the Virgin Islands, are not run properly and responsibly, it can contribute to infection and transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
“Regulations will therefore be introduced to govern body art practices in the Territory, as part of our continuing efforts to protect the health and safety of the public.”
6 Responses to “Regulations on Body art for VI in the near future”
Tattooing and body piercing is becoming more and more popular in the United States, with an estimated 10 -20 million adults already tattooed or pierced. From a public health perspective, it is important to realize that tattooing and piercing are invasive procedures, involving body fluids and reusable equipment.
Some diseases that can be spread through tattooing are staphylococcal infections, streptococcal infections, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. There have been no documented cases of HIV/AIDS spread through tattooing, though the procedure certainly provides potential for spread of this deadly virus.
The complications that can arise from piercing are many, and depend on the body part being pierced. Possible complications include the infections listed above for tattooing, as well as excessive bleeding, permanent scarring, nerve damage, urethra damage, impotence, eye damage, eyelid droop, speech impediment, facial cellulitus, chipped tooth enamel, etc.