The Consumer Protection Center (KEPKA) points out that the scientific committee for consumer products of the E.U. considers it very likely that the use of tanning beds, which use either UVB radiation or UVA radiation, is associated with an increased risk of developing malignant melanoma or melanoma in the eyes.
According to the scientific panel, because the use of ultraviolet radiation for artificial tanning began to conquer the market after 1990, there is not enough scientific data on its full effects on our health and it will take many more years to have a fully informed opinion, if artificial tanning causes skin cancer.
It is noted that the European Commission asked the member states to intensify the safety checks of solariums and artificial tanning services, provided by beauty and slimming institutes and gyms. It had also asked the industry by the end of 2011 to prepare training material for tanning salon operators, a code of conduct on how tanning services should be provided by the respective businesses, and advice and warnings for patrons. who want to tan, by artificial means.
KEPKA informs consumers that
Solariums must meet the safety rules set by the Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC), the European safety standard EN 60335-2-27, the product safety control regulation (765/2008/ EC) and the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC). Regulation 765/2008/EC allows control mechanisms to check and take the necessary measures for unsafe tanning beds, regardless of whether they are used by consumers or by businesses providing artificial tanning services to consumers.
- The UV radiation of a solarium should not exceed 0.3 W/per square meter. In some Member States, even the 90% of solariums exceeded this limit.
- The use of solariums should be avoided:
- From people under the age of 18, because the risk of developing melanoma is particularly high, at these ages, when they resort to artificial tanning
- From people with moles
- From people with melanoma or a family history of melanoma
- From people with light skin color or freckles
- The length of stay in the solarium depends on the type of our skin.
- Eye protection is essential if we want to tan this way.
Source: RES-MPE
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