Is Gel Pen Ink Toxic/Harmful? This is usually one of the first questions asked in respect to the safety of gel pen inks and this is as a result of the high chances of ingestion by infants and children.
The quantity of ink present in a pen is dependent on the area of manufacture however, the majority of gel pen inks in stores are relatively safe and meet the approved health standards.
We’ve at one point or the other accidentally swallowed some quantity of ink, however, for it to cause minimal side effects e. g. nausea, discomfort, e.t.c, you would have had to ingest at least half a dozen pens worth of ink (now why would anyone do that?) and even at that, it is not fatal.
Gel pens are increasingly becoming popular amongst individuals as they provide relatively clear and improved writing during and after use, they are also pretty cheap.
Because they are made from the suspension of powder pigments in a water-based gel, they provide a variety of colours to choose from. When dried after application, it is resistant to water and other solvents.
Gel pens are commonly used in our day-to-day activities from writing to drawing as they give a variety of functions thus, serving the needs of a wide range of individuals.
Gel ink is easy to accidentally ingest from chewing on the tip of your pen to random doodling on the skin- you might not always have a piece of paper nearby to quickly jot down that number so, I mean why not quickly scribble on your hand?
We also cannot stop the kids from being a tad bit adventurous and deciding their skin is a preferable choice to colour rather than their drawing book, can we?
At the end of this article, it is expected that the disputes regarding the degree of safety of the gel pen ink are clarified.
Gel ink is used in gel pens and it is a water-based gel with powder pigments suspended in it. It differs from ball-point ink in that the gel ink is in a paste form with a mixture of dyes suspended in it while ball-point ink is oil-based. It is thick and opaque thus, the superior writing experience it gives.
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IS GEL PEN INK HARMFUL WHEN SWALLOWED?
Due to our different body constitutions, ink could be an irritant to the lining of the mouth- what is medically referred to as the mucosal epithelial lining of the mouth. According to W.H.O, one is advised to drink an adequate quantity of water in the case of accidental swallowing.
This indicates that gel pen ink if accidentally ingested is not toxic and would not lead to any life-threatening or toxic side effects.
Naturally, mothers are overprotective of their ward and may panic upon seeing those child’s tongues covered in ink. This reaction is common with those who do not know for certain if the ink is poisonous or not.
If you are however unsure of the amount of ink ingested, it’s best to see a medical professional about this to make sure your child is not at risk of any harm.
Irrespective of how nontoxic these inks are said to be, the variation in chemical sensitivity amongst different individuals could lead to an unexpected reaction to this seemly harmless substance.
Therefore, learn to prevent this from happening by keeping a close eye on your kids and educating them about not putting it into their mouths.
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IS GEL PEN INK HARMFUL IF APPLIED TO THE SKIN?
The next common question usually asked in respect to gel pen ink is ‘would I get poisoned from the ink on my skin?’. Due to the frequency at which gel ink gets on the skin, this is a valid question.
In some places, some myths say getting ink on your skin can be linked to skin cancer, scary right? Well, the good news is that gel inks have low toxic levels when compared to regular ballpoint ink due to their water-based composition.
So the only issue you might have to worry about is a temporary stain on your skin which eventually fades away with time and thorough cleaning. This is one of the reasons why gel pens are preferred as coloring tools for children’s exercises.
Water-based inks clean off more easily than the oil base type. Do not attempt to clean the skin with a chemical known to be harsh on it.
After washing with a skin-friendly soap and water, if the inks fail to wash off completely, give it some time as it will gradually fade away over a certain period.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET GEL PEN INK IN MY EYES?
The eyes are very sensitive and specialized sense organs therefore, getting ink into the eye may cause a degree of discomfort and irritation but it is not a fatal condition.
It is advised to wash under clean, running water. If symptoms such as blurred vision, discolouration, irritation, etc. persist, please kindly refer to a medical practitioner.
Given the eye’s sensitivity and its vital role as a sense organ, it is one of the delicate organs that must be protected even from harmless substances.
Your immediate reaction when the ink gets into the eye should be to get as much as possible out of it using clean running water. Ensure the water is clean to avoid introducing other particles into the eye.
Also, ensure to stay calm during the entire process and wipe the face with a clean dry towel. Seeing a medical professional such as an opthalmologist may become necessary if symptoms such as blurred vision are noticed later on. It is however rare to suffer any form of major harm from this exposure.
IS GEL PEN INK TOXIC TO ANIMALS?
This is a major concern for people who own cats, dogs, and other pets who would just about nibble on anything within their reach.
Thankfully, gel pen ink has minimal effects on animals when ingested and for mild symptoms such as vomiting, discolouring, and irritation of the mouth to present, the animal has to have ingested a large quantity of the substance.
After confirming the animal has indeed ingested the ink, thoroughly rinse the mouth of the animal with clean water as soon as possible and try to induce vomiting if possible to get the substance out of the system. Ultimately, please visit your veterinary doctor for a thorough check-up.
Most animals have a similar physiological system to man. They have systems in place such as the hepatic, biliary, and renal systems that function to detoxify their body of any ingested chemical.
There are to suggest some of these animals can survive chemical poisoning better than man. However, since animals cannot complain of a stomach ache and most pet owners do not know what to look out for signs of illness in their pet, visiting a vet seam to be the rational thing to do in this situation.
IN WHAT SCENARIO IS GEL PEN INK TOXIC?
Having said all this, it is safe to say gel ink present no serious damage or toxicity however, they are chemicals foreign to the body so it would be okay to ask at what point would it be toxic to an individual.
Researchers have shown that you need to ingest a large amount of the substance, probably an ounce and above for an individual to get poisoned.
The symptoms to look out for that might indicate poisoning include: nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort. If these symptoms persist, you are advised to seek medical attention.
Another way by which an individual might get poisoned is if the substance accidentally gets into the bloodstream, causing a more severe reaction characterized by fever, chills, etc. This is most likely a medical emergency and thus, should be treated as such.
In pharmacology, there is a saying that ” what different a drug from a poison is the dose”. Therefore, harmless substances including food can become harmful when consumed in excess.
I really cannot think of the situation when this can happen. Children however are unpredictable and may pull such stunts, no adult, of course, will do such a thing. Ensure to take the proper step of seeing a doctor in this situation.
IS IT SAFE TO USE GEL INK FOR TATTOO ART?
The art of tattooing is a delicate procedure, if done right, would produce beautiful results. However, if handled carelessly, could have deleterious effects on the individual.
I would not advise using gel pen ink when getting a tattoo because I highly doubt it is suitable to meet health safety standards when compared to actual ink produced for tattooing.
Moreover, there are lots of recommended tattoo inks out there that can be bought easily from online stores such as Amazon for a reasonable price, so, why put your health at risk by trying something which is not approved.
Is Gel Pen Ink Toxic – Conclusion
In conclusion, it is safe to say that gel pen ink poses little to no threats when it comes to an individual’s health and safety. It provides an even better writing experience, is long-lasting, and goes for a decent price.
