Abstract
Appropriate waste management is increasingly relevant due to environmental and infectious disease transmission concerns. An anonymous observational cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013–2017 of 262 tattooists and 824 beauticians throughout Poland. Knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and compliance with blood-borne infection controls and correct waste disposal were assessed. Tattooists correctly addressed hazardous waste significantly more often than did beauticians (83.3% vs. 44.8%). Medical waste was collected by a specialist company in 90.1% of tattoo parlors and 63.3%of beauty parlors. Tattooists correctly used and disposed of sharps more frequently than beauticians (93.1% vs. 68.9%); however, 46.4% of beauticians and 12.4% of tattooists discarded waste into municipal trash, including sharps (27.1% and 2.6%, respectively). Incorrect collection and labeling of biological waste present occupational risk to waste disposal personnel. Education and instructional controls could improve health safety in this industry. Biological waste management processes are restrictive for medical services and liberal for beauty services, an industry for which they should also be applied more comprehensively.
Highlights
Many countries in the European Union have introduced restrictions regarding the conditions under which tattoo and beauty parlors may perform their services, the purpose of which is to ensure that the services provided are safe [1,2].Many extant studies have considered hygiene as a potential risk factor for transmission of infectious diseases [3] and the need to update professional knowledge regarding this subject [4]
Health risk assessments in the beauty services industry are considered both in relation to the transmission of infectious diseases and the health consequences that may arise in the future [8,9]
The growing interest in beauty services, which is associated with a higher risk of complications, has resulted in the need for the amendment of legal regulations in the area of health safety for risk-bearing services (RES AP 2008 (1) and further amendments) [10]
Summary
Many countries in the European Union have introduced restrictions regarding the conditions under which tattoo and beauty parlors may perform their services, the purpose of which is to ensure that the services provided are safe [1,2].Many extant studies have considered hygiene as a potential risk factor for transmission of infectious diseases [3] and the need to update professional knowledge regarding this subject [4]. Health risk assessments in the beauty services industry are considered both in relation to the transmission of infectious diseases and the health consequences that may arise in the future [8,9]. The growing interest in beauty services, which is associated with a higher risk of complications, has resulted in the need for the amendment of legal regulations in the area of health safety for risk-bearing services (RES AP 2008 (1) and further amendments) [10]. It appears that the issue of waste/garbage disposal from tattoo and beauty parlors has been marginalized
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