Sunbeds & UV Radiation links

1. Factual links

   Some of the websites providing reliable scientific information on Sunbeds :

   • 1.1 Institutions addressing sunbeds
   • 1.2 Q&As about artificial tanning
   • 1.3 Other websites for the non-specialist on sunbeds
2. Other Views

1. Factual links

1.1 Institutions addressing sunbeds

• The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) of the European Commission adopted an “opinion on biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sunbeds for cosmetic purposes” on 20 June 2006:
   http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_031b.pdf
• The WHO page on ultraviolet radiation proposes a series of fact sheets, publications, and related sites on this topic: www.who.int/topics/ultraviolet_radiation/en/ 
  See for instance WebPages more specifically addressing sunbeds:
  • “Artificial tanning sunbeds”: www.who.int/uv/intersunprogramme/activities/uvartsunbeds/en/ 
  • “Sunbeds, tanning and UV exposure”: www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs287/en/index.html 
• The Bureau of Consumer Protection of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) publishes a fact sheet for consumers on indoor tanning:
   www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/indootan.pdf
• Health Canada provides general information on ultraviolet radiation, sun safety, and what you can do to protect yourself as well as information on safety guidelines and regulations related to tanning equipment:
  www.iarc.fr/ENG/Press_Releases/pr171a.html 
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the literature on the health effects of exposure to artificial UV radiation through the use of indoor tanning facilities and announces it through a press release entitled “Sunbed use in youth unequivocally associated with skin cancer”:
  www.iarc.fr/ENG/Press_Releases/pr171a.html 

1.2 Q&As about artificial tanning

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposes a Q&A on tanning:
  www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tanning.html 
• Thesite.org includes a series of Q&As on sunbeds:
  www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/appearance/yourbody/sunbeds 

1.3 Other websites for the non-specialist on sunbeds

• The Cancer Research UK warns readers about the increased risk of skin cancer due to sunbed use:
  http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/staysafe/sunbeds/ 

2. Other Views

Several sunbed industrial associations emphasize the health benefits of using a sunbed while minimizing the risks:

• The Sunbed Association:
  www.sunbedassociation.org.uk/faqs.htm 
• The Indoor Tanning Association:
  www.theita.com/indoor/faq.cfm