Tanning beds are “cancer machines”, warn dermatologists

Ultraviolet radiation from tanning machines is cancer-causing, according to dermatologists, and the machines are hardly monitored in Belgium. Cancer and skin specialists in Belgium are drawing attention to the problem, motivated by Australia's recent ban on the use of tanning beds, reports Het Nieuwsblad. Economy Minister Kris Peeters will hold a consultation with the industry to discuss health and safety issues.

There are an estimated 4,000 tanning salons active in Belgium, but actual figures are not known because registration is not required, which also makes safety inspections difficult to carry out.  

The latest figures from the Federal Public Service Economy show that last year about 7.5% of the tanning salons in the country met federal safety standards. According to Peeters, most of the shortcomings had to do with administrative issues, and not necessarily customer safety.

However, tanning beds are particularly bad for the skin, says dermatologist Thomas Maselis, president of Euro Melanoma Belgium. "Tanning beds expose the skin to a flood of ultraviolet (UV) rays. A recent study in Iceland concluded that these UV rays are carcinogenic. Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in Europe. One in six people are affected by it at some point in their life."