Piercing parlour ordered closed

August 12, 2011

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Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:01 Mabell, Dave

Dave Mabell

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

dmabell@...

A body piercing parlour in the Crowsnest Pass has been ordered closed. And

health officials are urging its customers to be tested for hepatitis or HIV.

Operating under the name of Victor Procter, the unapproved business had rented

space in a health-approved tattoo parlour in . But inspectors say it was

not inspected before opening - as required under Alberta law - and did not meet

safety code.

" The Victor Procter piercing operation did not have proper sterilization

processes in place, " explains Dr. Vivien Suttorp, medical officer of health for

southern Alberta.

" Individuals who have received piercings at this operation may have been

exposed to viruses such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV, " she says.

They're asked to call the Alberta Health Services office in Lethbridge, at

403-380-6664 to book blood tests as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, it's

possible they might pass a virus to another person.

" To prevent the spread of infection from one person to another, equipment used

in piercing and in other procedures where the skin is broken, must be cleaned,

disinfected and sterilized according to health standards, " she explains.

Alternatively, piercing services (provided at jewelry stores as well as tattoo

parlours, hair salons and other locations) may choose single-use tools.

Officials say the Procter service was located in Tommy Gun Tattoos, a properly

inspected facility. Inspectors became aware of Procter's business during a

routine safety check.

While several tattoo parlours have been closed by southern Alberta inspectors

over recent years, officials say this is the first piercing operation to be

closed over that period.

Would-be clients are urged to check with health officials here, 403-388-6690,

to determine if a piercing or tattoo parlour has been approved by public health

inspectors.

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