Posted Aug 1, 2009
An international cancer study has deemed tanning-bed use and ultraviolet-radiation exposure as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas, a finding a local tanning-salon manager is skeptical about. The risk of skin cancer increases to 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30, according to the analysis of 20 studies published by experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The discovery lumps tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation with tobacco, the hepatitis B virus, chimney sweeping and others as definite causes of cancer. Before this finding, tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation were classified as “probable carcinogens.”
American Cancer Society Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Len Lichtenfeld released a statement saying the study validates what they already knew.
“The new report confirms and extends the prior recommendation of the American Cancer Society that the use of tanning beds is dangerous to your health, and should be avoided. … This report also puts to rest the argument that tanning with UVA light is safe. As noted by the IARC report, UVA light is also a class 1 carcinogen and should be avoided. Based on the evidence, the IARC has now classified tanning devices themselves as class 1 carcinogens.”
While the American Cancer Society sees this as a victory, some local tanning salons are not putting much stock in the study.
“Any type of UV exposure in excess is unhealthy,” said Tom Hege, Tropitana Tanning Salon manager.
He said spending too much time in a tanning bed is bad for you, but the sun can do the same, if not more, damage than tanning beds in professional, well-trained establishments. Hege, manager of the two Tropitana Fort Wayne locations for 13 years, said his staff is trained to refuse anyone to tan longer than what is recommended. They make customers wear protective eyewear and follow the Indiana State Department of Health guidelines.
“If used properly, it can actually be safer to use a tanning bed,” he said. “The health of our clients is very important to us. We haven’t had any problems.”
The American Cancer Society advises using bronzing or self-tanning creams instead of tanning beds.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Date: July 29, 2009
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