The Body Piercer's in the State of New Jersey, with the assistance of the State Health Department has developed a situation where the consumer is lead to believe that body piercing in New Jersey is safe and the piercing procedures do not have the potential to transmit Hepatitis, TB and other viruses.

The reason is, the body piercing shops are explaining to the consumer that they are safe and clean because they are licensed by the State Health Department. They show the consumer that they have attend a First Aid Class, CPR Class and a Bloodborne Pathogen Class. They tell the consumer they have been trained in all aspects of body piercing and piercing safety, so they should feel comfortable having their piercing preformed at their facility. These representations are supported by the Health Department who allows the body piercing shops in New Jersey by issuing a license to operate.

In 1994, due to the increased number of people contracting hepatitis, OSHA with the assistance of the CDC developed a set of guidelines which will reduce the potential exposure to Bloodborne pathogens. These guidelines state that anyone who has potential exposure to blood, body fluid and body tissue must be in full compliance with the Bloodborne Pathogen Standards.

The body piercing procedure involves taking a hollow needle and passing it through the skin, as the needle is extracted from the body, metal of the same gauge is inserted in the skin. The piercing needle holds a tube of tissue, most piercings have direct contact with body fluid and with all piercings there is a potential of bleeding. All Body Piercer's have potential exposure to blood, body fluid and body tissue and therefore have the potential of exposing their clients to Bloodborne pathogens.

The question is "why is the State Health Department licensing body piercing shops who are not in full compliance with OSHA Regulations". The New Jersey State Health Department has taken it upon themselves to license body piercing shops that operate far below the standards set by OSHA Regulations and these body piercing shops have the potential of exposing their clients to Hepatitis, TB and in some cases HIV.

The fact is by allowing the piercing facilities in the State of New Jersey to pierce your body, you are jeopardizing your health and safety. All body piercing shops in New Jersey are operating far below the standard set by OSHA Regulations and as a result have the potential of transmitting Hepatitis, TB and other viruses with the support of the State Health Department.

The problems begin when the State and County Health Departments appointed inexperienced, untrained individuals to inspect and license the ear and body piercing facilities in the State of New Jersey. These individuals have no knowledge of Bloodborne Pathogens, cross contamination, proper sterilization procedures, decontamination of reusable tools, let alone the piercing procedure. So how can an individual with little or no knowledge of the critical areas of the body piercing regulations are asked to inspect and license ear and body piercing facilities?

Protect your health and safety by not allowing the body piercing shops in New Jersey to perform your piercing.

For more information on body piercing safety please contact Ron Rotatori by email at Ron@primalurgebodypiercing.com

---