Tattoo ink pigments cause MRI burns but no ink is tested for MRI safety

Certain tattoo inks contain iron oxide particles and ferromagnetic compounds that interact with the radiofrequency pulses of MRI machines, causing painful burning sensations and in rare cases first- or second-degree skin burns at the tattoo site. So what? No tattoo ink manufacturer tests or discloses whether their pigments are MRI-safe, because there is no regulatory requirement to do so. So what? Neither the tattoo artist nor the client can make an informed decision at the time of tattooing about future medical imaging compatibility. A 25-year-old getting a sleeve tattoo today has no way to know whether that ink will cause them pain during an MRI they might need at age 50 for a cancer screening. So what? Some patients with tattoos avoid or delay necessary MRI scans out of fear of burns, potentially missing critical diagnoses. Radiologists report having to modify scan protocols (reducing power, which reduces image quality) or refuse to scan tattooed areas entirely. This persists because tattoo ink regulation and medical device regulation exist in completely separate regulatory silos -- the FDA's cosmetics division handles ink while the Center for Devices and Radiological Health handles MRI machines, and neither considers the interaction between the two their responsibility.