This is not a new issue. Already in 2006, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products provided an Opinion on the biological effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sunbeds. There, it was stated that using UVR tanning devices was likely to increase the risk of malignant melanoma of the skin and possibly ocular melanoma. It was recommended for young people under 18 years to avoid sunbeds.
A few years later, in 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the use of UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans.
In light of new evidence, the European Commission asked the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) to update the previous Opinion on this topic.
Navigation
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Legislation
- 3. Use of sunbeds
- 4. Health effects
- 5. Cancers linked to the use of sunbeds
- 6. Studies on the use of sunbeds
- 7. Conclusions
3. Use of Sunbeds
3.1 How much UV radiation are sunbed users exposed to?
Many people would never dream of sunbathing under the midday sun in the tropics, yet UV emission of a modern tanning appliance is estimated at a UV index of 12, i.e. equivalent to midday sun at the Equator, where the sun shines at its strongest. Although the UV spectrum of different machines varies, there has been a noticeable shift of the UV spectrum emitted by tanning devices towards higher UVA irradiance.
Sunbed use varies greatly from one country to another and between population groups: white-skinned people in northern countries tend to use sunbeds more than other populations, and young and middle-aged women use them more than older women or men of any age. The type of people most likely to develop skin cancer – fair people who sunburn easily - are usually the type of people using sunbeds the most. Many of them are acting on the erroneous belief that building up a tan by using a sunbed is a safer option than going out in the sun.
A 2014 meta-analysis of data from selected populations in 16 Western countries (406,696 participants) showed that as many as 36% of the population has used sunbeds at least once and that figure was even higher for north and west Europe. This is particularly relevant, since new studies indicate that even one-time exposure to sunbeds, particularly if under the age of 30, increases the risk of skin cancer.
3.2 How does sunbed use differ among various populations?
According to a 2016 meta-analysis of data from selected populations in 16 Western countries (406,696 participants), some 36 % of adults have used a sunbed at least once – the figure was even higher at 42% for northern and western Europe, 55% for university students, and 19% for adolescents (24% for Northern and Western Europe). The summary prevalence of last year exposure was 14%, 43% for university students, and 18% for adolescents, higher among women. An increase in prevalence of sunbed use over time was noted; the most recent estimates (2007-2012) of use in the last-year exposure to indoor tanning gave last-year prevalence of 18% in adults, 45% in university students, and 22% adolescents. These are absolute increases of 3.4% in adults, 2.1% in university students and 2% in adolescents from the results of the primary analyses. It should be noted that these data come from US studies only, as there are insufficient data on European population as such from published, peer-reviewed scientific studies.