State should oversee body piercings

THE Legislature should seize the opportunity to rectify an oversight that has left the body-piercing industry unregulated and essentially operating in the dark.

Nearly a decade after health and safety standards were set for tattoo parlors, Sen. Jim Kastama proposes beefier regulations for an estimated 3,000 body-piercing businesses in Washington.

The Puyallup Democrat's bill, scheduled for a hearing Wednesday morning, would require professional licenses and strict health rules dictating needle and sterilization procedures. Enforcement would come under the Department of Licensing, which would also be required by law to inspect body-piercing businesses every two years.

Lawmakers ought to be persuaded by compelling arguments in favor of regulation.

Body piercings involve puncturing the skin, making blood-borne illnesses a risk. Improperly sterilized equipment can lead to tetanus or spread infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS and MRSA.

The growing popularity of body piercings lends validity to health concerns.

About 15 to 20 percent of school-age students either have tattoos or some sort of body piercing or both, according to the National Education Association. Half of college-age young adults have multiple ear piercing or other forms of body piercing or tattoos. The earlobe is the most common pierced body part, but piercing the ear cartilage, eyebrow, nose, tongue, lip, chin cleft, navel and other body parts is growing in popularity.

Regulation with an eye toward public safety greets this trend with a proactive approach. Setting standards and enforcement mechanisms protects the consumer and the reputations of body piercers who want to follow the rules.

Body piercers are said to welcome the oversight. Good. Most states, notably Oregon, Michigan and Florida, already have laws in place.