A hazard assessment of artificial tanning units

Abstract

As a result of increasing concern over the use of artificial tanning units, many local government recreation departments are phasing out the use of sunbeds on their premises, resulting in some clients switching to high street parlours about which little is known. An Environmental Health survey was conducted in all 32 tanning premises within a local government area (Perth & Kinross, Scotland). A number of significant problems emerged in the private sector. In this group, there was no form of cumulative UV exposure control in 89% of premises and 81% failed to give adequate advice and information to customers. We conducted UV spectral irradiation measurements in 38 tanning units using a double grating spectroradiometer. When a carcinogenic weighting factor was applied to these measurements, it was found that a 10 min exposure in a high intensity stand-up cabinet carried the same carcinogenic risk as approximately 30 min of local (56 degrees North) mid-day summer sunlight or 10 min of Mediterranean sunlight at mid-day. A questionnaire completed by 57 customers revealed a wide pattern of usage; 6 (10%) had more than 20 h exposure in the previous 12 months and 3 (5%) had made regular use of sunbeds for the previous 16 to 20 years. These results indicate that there is a need for continuing public education and surveillance of commercial artificial tanning units.

Quantitative risk assessment of sunbeds: impact of new high power lamps

“…Seventy‐three per cent of the tanning units were lie‐down units (beds) and the remaining 27% were stand‐up units (booths). Stand‐up units were generally marketed as being ‘fast‐tan’ units and were found in 1997 to be the strongest units of the two types 21 …”

Ultraviolet exposure is a reinforcing stimulus in frequent indoor tanners

“…The following measures were given after the participant exited each bed on both days of sampling access to the beds: (1) ''Do you like the tanning bed?'' was assessed with a 9-point rating :00 Arrive in laboratory, complete presession forms, rest period : 10 Tanning session in bed A (either UVA or non-UVA light) : 25 10-minute rest period, posttanning selfreported mood ratings completed :35…”

“…8 Tanning operations are poorly regulated, and existing regulations and recommendations are frequently ignored. [10][11][12] Research into the motives for excessive tanning has focused primarily on psychosocial factors like appearance motivation. 13,14 Intentional efforts to tan appear to be motivated in part by people's efforts to be regarded positively by others and there is evidence that tanned people are perceived more positively than untanned persons.…”

A controlled study of ultraviolet A sunbed treatment of psoriasis

“…Although 12 treatments of standard RUVA sunbed are unlikely to help clear stable plaque psoriasis, it could be that longer courses, perhaps treating the less demanding guttate psoriasis, would have been more effective. It should also be pointed out that there is now a range of different sunbed sources in routine use 2 . The stand‐up and rapid tan facilities have a greater percentage of UVB than the type of lamp published here.…”