Tattoos - A Vehicle for Hepatitis C?

About ten thousand Americans die from Hepatitis C each year.<br><br>Actress Pamela Anderson announced she contracted the liver disease from her ex-husband.<br><br>She says it spread through a tatoo needle

Thursday, March 21st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

About ten thousand Americans die from Hepatitis C each year.

Actress Pamela Anderson announced she contracted the liver disease from her ex-husband.

She says it spread through a tatoo needle she and rocker Tommy Lee shared. He denies having the disease.

The Centers for Disease control says tattooing has not proven to be a significant cause of Hepatitis C - the most common transmission is through intravenous drug use.

Tattooing has been illegal in Oklahoma since 1963.

Many flock across the state line to Arkansas - where regulations are strict.

Jim Holbrook of State Line Tattooz says he goes beyond state guidelines to ensure a safe and sterile environment.

Jeff Jessie, Tahlequah 18 Year-old: "They take care of their stuff. They use clean stuff."

The CDC says "injecting drug users", those who received clotting factors before 1987, hemodialysis patients and those who received blood before 1992 should be tested for Hepatitis C.