Some sunbeds exceed UV rays safety limits

Those in pursuit of the perfect tan have been warned of the potential risks of sunbeds after a study in 10 EU countries found that over 14 per cent of the devices were in breach of safety regulations.

A study just published found that one in seven sunbeds were infringing UV radiation safety limits. Moreover, there were often insufficient warnings about the potential dangers of UV rays on the sunbeds themselves and consumers were sometimes not informed of the risks and that under-18-year-olds should not use the tanning devices.

UV rays can cause skin cancer, the worst being the potentially deadly melanoma. Statistics from the National Cancer Registry show that 69 people succumbed to melanoma between 1996 and 2007. European Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli expressed concern in Brussels that a number of sunbeds were found not to respect safety rules.

"This is an important health concern because the incidence of skin cancer is doubling every 15 to 20 years," he said, adding that competent surveillance authorities in member states had to ensure such appliances were safe.

Action was taken to ensure sunbeds complied with the requirements of the low voltage directive, which limits UV radiation to 0.3 watt per square metre.

Some 500 sunbeds were checked between September 2008 and last December in 300 locations in Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, the Netherlands and Poland, mostly in tanning salons and wellness centres.

Malta did not participate in the inspections because only a handful of sunbeds were found on the island, Michael Cassar, head of the Malta Standards Authority's market surveillance directorate, said.

However, the potential dangers of sunbeds have often been highlighted by the health authorities. Dermatology Department head Lawrence Scerri said that although sunbeds were not supposed to use the harmful UVB rays, they contained UVA rays, which were still harmful.