Public health officials advised people who received tattoos or piercing at a Cooksville tattoo and piercing parlour, Mississauga between March 2005 and last month to get blood tests.

Inspection by health officials revealed that the tattoo parlour failed to keep adequate maintenance records for its sterilization equipment. It is estimated this negligence of proper sterilization can put nearly 3,000 people at risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Dr. Eileen de Villa, associate medical officer of health for Peel Public Health, said that the agency has inspected Moonshin Tattoo only twice in the past four years, despite the fact the province requires yearly inspections.

Provincial legislation states that "personal services settings," such as tattoo and piercing studios, barber shops and any other facilities where there is a risk of exposure to blood, must be inspected by public health officials at least once a year.

De Villa added that the first inspection at Moonshin occurred in early 2005, shortly after the shop opened at 95 Dundas St. W. near Hurontario St. The next inspection wasn't until Feb. 11 of this year.