Are tanning beds dangerous?

Yes, tanning beds are dangerous. Ultraviolet-emitting tanning devices are so dangerous they have been classed group 1 (agents that are carcinogenic to Humans) by the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC).

Group 1 explained: This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Exceptionally, an agent may be placed in this category when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is less than sufficient but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent acts through a relevant mechanism of carcinogenicity - World Health Organization

Backed up by the release of the The Lancet report – a review of human carcinogen Part D: radiation, moves are now underway to control the solarium industry even further in my home state of New South Wales (NSW) - Australia.

Tanning Bed - Image courtesy of Morguefile

Current laws prohibit those under the age of 18 years or have - Skin Photo Type 1 - skin which always burns and never tans (pale white skin) - from using a commercial tanning unit with fines for operators who do not abide by the rules.

Don’t know your skin type – check out this assessment site and then this - skin cancer risk tool.

Proposed regulatory changes now before government, if passed, will extend restrictions to:

1. Skin Photo Type 2 - skin that burns easily and tans minimally (white skin) from 1 April 2011.
2. Persons aged under 25 from 1 April 2011.
3. Persons aged under 30 years from 1 August 2011.

According to the NSW Cancer Minister Frank Sartor, “I think the writing is on the wall, eventually probably solariums nationwide will be banned," as reported in the ninemsn news site.

Those with an iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad check out the SunSmart app that’s available to download for free from the iTunes App Store so you can keep an eye out for your precious skin while out in the sun. Cancer Council Australia also has a UV Alert Widget for Aussie websites and blogs.

Facts you should know about:

1. Melanoma is the most common cancer in females aged 15–29 years and males aged 25–54 years.
2. Australian adolescents have the highest incident of malignant melanoma in the world.
3. Solarium use by people under 35 increases their risk of developing melanoma by 98%.
4. Poor compliance rates by NSW solarium operators.
5. Melanoma, responsible for 30 % of all cancers in young people aged 15 to 30 in NSW is entirely preventable.
6. Medical Research suggests 43 deaths a year from melanoma can be attributed to sunbeds.
7. Approximately 1/4 of people in NSW aged 13 - 44 mistakenly believe solarium tanning is safer than the sun.
8. Tanning units emit artificial UV up to several times greater than the strength of the midday sun.

Remember, there is nothing healthy about a tan, and, that one damaged cell can start a melanoma growing.

References / Resources:

Agents classified by IARC Monographs - Group 1 to 4
The Dark Side of Tanning
Exposure to Artificial UV Radiation and Skin Cancer
IARC preamble - Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans
The association of use of sunbeds with cutaneous malignant melanoma and other skin cancers: A systematic review
NSW Radiation Control Amendment (Tanning Units) Regulation 2009
NSW Government - Melanoma and artificial tanning
The health effects of using solaria and potential cost-effectiveness of enforcing solaria regulations in Australia
Public consultation called on new Solaria Regulation
Skin Cancer in Australia
Australian UV Alert Widget
Free iPhone SunSmart App

Check out my personal articles on:
Skin Cancer Nose No Boundaries	Melanoma - The Silent Killer	Skin Cancer Nose No Boundaries - Part II
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