There is growing concern over the lack of regulation governing sunbed use. Barry O'Keeffereports
The growing popularity of sunbed use must be considered a factor when examining the prevalence of skin cancer in Ireland, the Environmental Health Officers Association (EOHA) has said.
Quoting figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland, it says there are about 5,740 new cases of skin cancer every year.
All forms of ultraviolet radiation contribute to skin cancer, according to Jennifer Shorten, an environmental health officer in Tallaght, Co Dublin.
"The main contributors of ultraviolet radiation are the sun, sunbeds and sunlamps," she said.
Irish Cancer Society research has found sunbeds can emit UV radiation levels which are up to five times as strong as the summer midday sun.
"Therefore, their use can substantially increase the risk of developing skin cancer," said Ms Shorten, who is also the EOHA press officer.
Writing in the EOHA's yearbook, which has just been published, Ms Shorten said that excessive exposure to UV rays from sunbeds and sunlights could lead to structural damage of the skin. "The damage can be caused by burning, scarring and photageing, which manifests itself as wrinkling and loss of elasticity," she said. "The health risks associated with regular sunbed use include eye damage and suppression of the immune system."
Ms Shorten said each tanning premises should have information leaflets and warning signs advising potential users of the risks involved.
She also said customer records should be maintained to monitor usage frequency and exposure times.
"A minimum of 48 hours should pass between sessions," she said.
She also recommends the use of UV protection eyewear during sessions.
Clara Finlay, an environmental health student who carried out some research on sunbed usage in the midlands, found there was also a growing trend towards using sunbeds at home as people can now buy or rent sunbeds for home use.
"This appears attractive to many users as it cuts out the hassle of having to visit a commercial premises a number of times a week to maintain their glow," she said.
"However, this usage is particularly worrying as it is completely unregulated."
Ms Finlay, who wrote a thesis on the subject and won an award from Intel for her work, found substantial evidence of underage use of sunbeds, "with 27 per cent of users reporting they had first used a sunbed before the age of 18".
Ms Finlay said the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (2003) recommends that those under 18 should not use a sunbed.
"Despite this recommendation, at present in Ireland there is no legal age restriction on the use of sunbeds," she said.
Ms Finlay said her research suggested that users and operators of sunbeds did not adhere to the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and indeed other medical organisations.
"The most disturbing of the results showed that some parents are now attempting to place their children on the sunbed prior to occasions such as first Holy Communion, confirmation and Irish dancing competitions," she said.
"All surveyed operators insisted that they did not allow children to use their sunbed, but one cannot be certain that this is not occurring, especially since unsupervised coin-operated units are available and increasing numbers of people have sunbeds in their home," she said.
Ms Finlay said that, according to the WHO, children's skin was more sensitive than adults, therefore young people and children who get burned from ultraviolet radiation are more prone to developing melanoma in later life.
"Parents need to be more informed about the risks posed from UVR so that they make responsible decisions on behalf of their children," she said.
Ms Finlay also said that people who appeared to be addicted to sunbeds had recently been referred to as "tanorexics", a term which suggests a psychological background to their addiction.
She concluded that while there appeared to be a strong awareness of the damages of skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin, few were aware of the potential damage to the eyes and immune system.