According to a report by United Press International (UPI), investigations by the city's health department into complaints involving illegal medical practices have revealed eight women who became infected with "the bacterium Nocardia, after receiving injections of unknown substances from unlicensed practitioners." Another woman reportedly contracted an infection following liposuction done in by a salon operator who did not have a medical license.
The investigations also revealed that some people had received injections of foreign substances to modify and contour body shape, including silicone and polymethyl methacrylate. Other people had had injections of chemicals to dissolve fat.
"People who undergo these unlicensed procedures are risking their lives," Dr. Nathan Graber, director of the New York City health department's environmental and occupational disease program, said in a statement.