Yellowknife tattoo parlour owner says 'basement scratchers' can be risky business

The owner of the only licensed tattoo parlour in Yellowknife says it's alarming that an artist might be operating outside of regulations.

"It makes me afraid for Yellowknifers, and I really hope they don't make the silly decision of going to tattoo artists that are not qualified," said Sara Murphy, the owner of the Yellowknife Tattoo parlor,Harley's Hard Rock Saloon and Shirt Shack.

On Monday,health officials warnedthe public about atattoo artistwho maybeworking in Yellowknifewithout a licence.

The artist is offering services in people'shomes with potentially unsanitary tools, according tothe office ofChief Public Health Officer.

"We call them basement scratchers that's how HIV happens, that's how hepatitis happens," Murphy said.

"A tattoo is an actual medical procedure. You're changing somebody's body permanently."

She said hershop employsfive tattoo artists who went throughapprenticeships and training.

Officials urge recipients to get tested

"It's not somebody that's been licensed by us and we don't know if he's using proper techniques and equipment to make it safe," saidDr.AndreCorriveau,the Northwest Territories' chief public health officer.

The advisory is precautionary at this point, he said, but the health office is trying to contact the artist.

"If you've had a tattoo recently someone came to your houseit would probably best to get a risk assessment done," Corriveau said.

"Tattoo services require sterile equipment and a sanitary environment to prevent transmission of skin infections and blood-borne systemic infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C," the healthoffice said in its advisory.

People who have recently received tattoos from an unlicensed artist are encouraged to contactYellowknife Public Health at 867-920-6570 to get tested for diseases.

Owner says N.W.T. guidelines aren't strict

"The tattoo industry in the Northwest Territories is not regulated as much as it should be, so for our company we go through the Health Canada codes," Murphy said.

"In the Northwest Territories codes, there's only about a page and a half maybe of codes which include things like you have to have a wash station, you have to have proper ventilation."

She said the Health Canada guidelines are more specific.For example, they includethe ways in which an artist has to wash a tattoomachineand what chemicals to use.

Furthermore, Murphy said the shop now operates using all disposable tools.

"We don't want to be the reason anybody contracts anything."

As there is only one shop,Corriveausaid "it wasn't on the top of our priority list of, you know, policies and legislation to adjust."

However, he said he is confident in the health department's inspections.