Disposal of Waste from Tattoo and Beauty Parlors in Poland: A Survey-Based Analysis on Epidemiological Safety

Anita Gębska-Kuczerowska, Izabela Kucharska, Agnieszka Segiet-Święcicka, Marcin Kuczerowski and Robert Gajda
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Anita Gębska-Kuczerowska: Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Kazimierza Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
Izabela Kucharska: Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, Targowa 65, 03-729 Warsaw, Poland
Agnieszka Segiet-Święcicka: Faculty and Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
Marcin Kuczerowski: Clinical Department of Oncological Gynecology and Obstetrics, Professor Witold Orlowski Independent Public Clinical Hospital, Czerniakowska 231, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland
Robert Gajda: Gajda-Med Medical Center, ul. Piotra Skargi 23/29, 06-100 Pułtusk, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-9

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.

Keywords: professional infection risk; needle-stick injury; disposal of hazardous waste; tattoo parlors; beauty parlors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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