MEP WARNS OF SUN BED RISKS (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

MEP WARNS OF SUN BED RISKS

May 4, 2007 12:00 AM

Speaking ahead of Sun Awareness Week (7-13 May) North East MEP Fiona Hall has warned of the dangers posed by sun beds.

Last year, the European Commission issued warnings on the use of sun beds but the Liberal Democrat says that not enough is being done to alert people as sun beds become increasingly dangerous.

She said:

"The full effects of sun beds are not known yet because they were not in widespread use before the 1990s.

"But a Newcastle University expert warned of some 1,800 deaths annually through skin cancer, one hundred may be linked to sun bed use.

"Sun beds used in tanning salons emit the more powerful UV-B type of radiation."

More and more salons are using stronger ultra-violet lamps, higher than UK and EU recommendations, increasing the skin cancer risk to sun bed users.

Ms Hall, who is part of the group MEPs Against Cancer, in the European Parliament commented:

"The rise in un staffed salons and unregulated privately operated sun beds with high power lamps poses an additional risk to sun bed users.

The Sun Bed Association say that as lamps get stronger, session times are shortened and that they share the concerns about un staffed salons.

Ms Hall commented:

"It is time to give a clear message that misuse of sun beds can have fatal consequences."

More information on skin cancer and sun awareness week http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/standard.aspx?id=240

Useful research into high power lamps and un-regulated privately operated sun beds from Dr Harry Mosely, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee http://www.srp-uk.org/pr072.html.