Trends in UV Irradiance of Tanning Devices in Norway: 1983–2005

Abstract

Indoor tanning increases skin cancer risk, but the importance of different parts of the UV spectrum is unclear. We assessed irradiance of tanning devices in Norway for the period 1983-2005. Since 1983, all tanning models needed approval before being sold or used. UV Type 3 limits were valid from late 1992 (<0.15 W m(-2) for CIE-weighted, i.e. erythemally weighted, short and long wave irradiances). We analyzed data from 90% of the approved tanning models (n = 446 models) and two large inspection surveys in 1998/1999 and 2003 (n = 1,341 tanning devices). Mean CIE-weighted short wave irradiance of approved models increased from 0.050 W m(-2) (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.045-0.055) in 1983-1992 to 0.101 W m(-2) (95% CI 0.098-0.105) in 1993-2005, and mean long wave from 0.091 W m(-2) (95% CI 0.088-0.095) to 0.112 W m(-2) (95% CI 0.109-0.115), respectively. Inspection surveys revealed short wave irradiances much higher than that approved. In 1998-1999, only 28% (293/1034) of the devices were equipped with correct sunlamps and only 1 out of 130 inspected establishments fulfilled all requirements. In 2003, corresponding numbers were 59% (180/307) of devices and 2 out of 52 establishments. Mean short and long wave irradiances of the inspected tanning devices in 2003 were 1.5 and 3.5 times, respectively, higher than the irradiance of natural summer sun in Oslo. In conclusion, the short wave irradiance has increased in indoor tanning devices in Norway over the last 20 years. Due to the high long wave irradiance throughout this period, the percentage of short wave irradiance was much lower than for natural sun.

Prospective Study of UV Exposure and Cancer Incidence Among Swedish Women

“…The UVA and UVB irradiances of approved tanning devices in Sweden were similar to those in Norway, and varied little between 1982/1983 and 1992 (4,29). In this cohort, where women were aged 30 to 49 years in 1991 (i.e., birth cohorts 1942-1961), solarium use before 20 years of age occurred before 1981, use from 20 to 29 years occurred between 1962 and 1991, and use from 30 to 39 years between 1972 and 1991.…”

“…Thus, solarium users were exposed to UVB-rich sunlamps until about 1982/1983 and then UVA-rich fluorescent lamps (4). Mean UVB and UVA irradiances of inspected tanning devices in Norway in 2003 were 1.5 and 3.5 times higher, respectively, than the irradiance of the natural summer sun at noon in Oslo (29). We can assume that these irradiances are similar in Sweden.…”

“…For each category of UV exposure history, we combined the exposure across each of the three decades of life recorded for all participating women (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29) [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] years) the first categories represent exposure accumulating over successive decades from age 10 to 39 years, whereas the last category reflects exposure in adult age only (i.e., 20-39 years). Solarium use is separated into four categories representing cumulative exposure from age 10 to 39 years.…”

Epidemiology of Melanoma

“…Population-based investigations found that British residents continued to partake in high-risk behaviors and that men from lower socioeconomic groups were at the greatest risk for UV exposure (107). In Norway and Sweden, national campaigns have also been launched in an effort to address rapid rises in melanoma incidence (104,105). Similar to the United Kingdom and the United States, there has been limited and varied success with their preventative measures (104,105).…”

“…Nationwide efforts to reduce UV exposure have been attempted with variable success across high-incidence countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand (19,102,104,105). In the United States, the indoor tanning industry accrues $3 billion per year in profit (106).…”