Petition to the Niagara Region Board of Health

The Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services Board of Health recently decided to allow the use of piercing guns on cartilage piercings (including ears and noses) if the manufacturer indicates they may be used for that purpose;

And whereas piercing guns present serious health and safety risks when used on cartilage piercings, including but not limited to:

• Blunt force trauma to tissue, which can cause shattering of cartilage and long-term damage.
• Improper accommodation for swelling, as the standard earring studs used in guns do not leave sufficient room for safe healing.
• Inability to sterilize piercing guns fully between clients, creating risk of cross-contamination and infection.
• Use of non-sterile jewelry when clients are permitted to bring their own, introducing bacteria into a fresh wound.
• Deviation from Ontario Ministry of Health guidance, which states that piercing guns should not be used on cartilage piercings, though local jurisdictions may make their own decisions.

And whereas professional piercing standards across Ontario and Canada universally prohibit the use of piercing guns on cartilage due to these risks;

Therefore, we the undersigned residents of Niagara Region call upon the Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services Board of Health to:

1. Overturn the recent decision permitting the use of piercing guns on cartilage piercings.

2. Prohibit the use of piercing guns on all cartilage piercings, including ears and noses, in alignment with Ontario Health’s recommendations.

3. Require sterile, single-use, medical-grade equipment and jewelry for all initial piercings in Niagara Region.

Why Now?

The Niagara Region’s decision to allow piercing guns on cartilage is recent, meaning the policy is still reversible before widespread harm occurs. Reports from local clients show that unsafe piercings are already happening, putting residents at risk of infection, cartilage damage, and permanent scarring.

Acting now aligns Niagara Region with Ontario Health’s guidance, protects children and youth, prevents misinformation from normalizing unsafe practices, and demonstrates that the Board of Health is proactive and evidence-based. Delaying action risks embedding dangerous practices that are entirely preventable.