Stark warning over Bradford's ‘unsafe’ sunbeds (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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New survey finds majority of tanning salons use UV lamps that are too powerful
6:40am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in News
By Chris Tate, T&A Reporter
The vast majority of quick-tan salons across Bradford are operating sunbeds which are too powerful to be safe, according to West Yorkshire Trading Standards – but the situation is not as bad as in Essex.
A new survey found 75 per cent of beds for hire to people in the district were emitting too much UV radiation – breaking the safe level for cosmetic use.
“We carried out a survey that showed six out of eight commercial sunbeds in Bradford exceeded the safe level,” a trading standards spokesman said.
“Current trends for salons are to use strong UV lamps to ensure a quicker, stronger tan despite non compliance with current UV radiation laws.
“Although it’s a serious problem in Bradford where only 25 per cent met the rules, recent studies in Essex showed only a 16 per cent compliance rate, where up to 85 salon sunbeds were tested,” he said.
“With snow on the ground and no sign of spring, people may be thinking of getting a bit of artificial tan to brighten things up.
“But there are proven links between the use of over-powered sunbeds and a range of serious skin conditions.”
Now West Yorkshire Trading Standards officers are to spearhead a comprehensive nationwide survey of quick-tan salons and beauty parlours to create a database of sunbed use.
The World Health Organisation warns against the use of sunbed due to the adverse effects on health including skin cancer, vision problems and premature skin ageing.
Cancer Research UK studies have found that the main cause of skin cancer is over-exposure to UV radiation.
UV rays emitted from cosmetic sunbeds can be comparable to the midday sun, where the average skin cancer risk from sunbeds is more than double that of spending the same length of time in the Mediterranean midday summer sun.
The damage caused by over-exposure to UV rays can take up to 20 years to appear.
