Effective ultraviolet irradiance measurements from artificial tanning devices in Greece

Effect of the ultraviolet unweighted irradiance on the compliance of sunbeds in Spain

The use of tanning devices in Spain is regulated by the Royal Decree 1002/2002, which is based on the European standard EN60335-2-27. The European standard establishes that the total unweighted irradiance between 200 and 280 nm must not exceed 0.003 Wm-2, a requirement that the Spanish regulation modified to 0.03 Wm-2 from 250 to 295 nm. With these differences, the compliance consideration of an artificial tanning device can vary. Spectral irradiance measurements of 41 tanning devices performed with a high-resolution spectroradiometer were analyzed. None of the tanning devices had irradiances higher than 0.003 Wm-2 between 250 (the shortest wavelength measured by the spectroradiometer) and 280 nm, but the limit required by Spanish regulation was exceeded by 11 devices, of which one would have been considered compliant according to the European standard since the effective irradiance was lower than 0.3 Wm-2. Beyond noting the differences that can occur in sunbed inspections according to the established criteria, this work has shown the differences in the spectral and total values of devices in use in Spain, validating the need for periodic inspections.

A strategic framework for the development and enhancement of safety culture in the artificial tanning sector in Greece

Herein, a strategic framework for the development and enhancement of safety culture in the artificial tanning sector in Greece is presented. This framework has been designed and promoted by the competent national regulatory authority, which is the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE). The aim is to ensure a common understanding regarding ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and artificial tanning among artificial tanning professionals, stakeholders and the general public. The strategic framework is founded on the recommendations of international organizations, EU requirements and the relevant technical standards. It comprises three autonomous but interconnected components: (A) a sunbed operators' e-training course and certification process; (B) a code of practice addressed individually to business owners, sunbed operators and sunbed users; (C) communication strategies aiming to raise awareness regarding UVR and artificial tanning among all interested parties. The artificial tanning safety culture framework presented here is the policy option undertaken by the EEAE and is embedded in the upcoming legislation and regulations for the provision of artificial tanning services in Greece. EEAE considers that the structure of the artificial tanning safety culture strategic framework will serve as a guide for the development and promotion of relevant strategic safety culture frameworks for the provision of aesthetic/wellness services utilising other non-ionising radiation sources, which do not currently exist.

UV Driven Tanning Salons: Danger on Main Street

Appearing in the early 1980s, at a time when UVA was considered as relatively safe, the tanning industry has substantially developed in occidental countries, especially in Northern European countries. In Europe, the erythemally-weighted irradiance of a modern sunbed should not exceed 0.3 W/m², equivalent to an UV index of 12, i.e. to a tropical midday sun, but increased in recent years, the UV spectrum emitted by sunbeds had evolved towards higher UVA irradiance and solariums UV had become even less similar to natural sun.

Sunbeds' ultraviolet radiation measurements with different radiometers and criteria for compliance assessment set by the national competent authority in Greece

In order to ground the credibility of the sunbeds' ultraviolet radiation compliance assessment with the 0.3W/m(2) erythema effective irradiance limit, it is highly important to use reliable measuring equipment and to justify reasonably the measurement's result. Recently, the first surveillance action of the artificial tanning sector in Greece has been finalised. The action consisted of in situ erythema effective irradiance measurements from sunbeds at commercial premises offering artificial tanning services at various cities throughout Greece. Four different broadband erythemal weighted radiometers were used in order to compare them during in situ sunbeds' radiation measurements, at commercial premises, and to choose the most suitable one for compliance inspections. Furthermore a rationale has been introduced in order to compare the measurement's result with the limit, and decide about compliance or not, taking into account the measurement's expanded uncertainty. According to this approach, compliance, probable compliance or non-compliance is verified when the measurement's result taking into account the measurement's expanded uncertainty does not, probably or does exceed the 0.3W/m(2) limit, respectively. Ultraviolet radiation exceeded the 0.3W/m(2) erythema effective irradiance limit in 63.5% (33 out of 52) of the sunbeds and probably exceeded the limit in 11.5% (6 out of 52) of the sunbeds, according to the measurements performed with the radiometer which was chosen as the most suitable one and the proposed rationale for compliance justification.

Ultraviolet exposure from indoor tanning devices: a systematic review

Use of indoor tanning devices increases the risk of cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Indoor tanning devices have become important sources of ultraviolet (UV) exposure, both UVB and UVA. This systematic review assessed UV measurements performed in indoor tanning devices related to irradiance level, wavelength distribution and similarities to natural sun. The study was performed in accordance with the MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from inception to May 2015, and also examined the reference lists of the retrieved studies. Eighteen studies were included. Twelve studies examined the erythema-weighted UV irradiances of indoor tanning devices, 11 studies examined UVB and 13 studies studied UVA. Compliance with irradiance limits was reported in nine studies. Erythema-weighted irradiances were highest in the most recent studies. Most studies had mean values higher than from natural sun and with large variations between devices. All studies except two had mean unweighted UVB irradiances lower than from natural summer sun (at latitudes from 37°S to 35°N), while mean unweighted UVA irradiances were, with one exception, substantially higher than from natural sun. The high values of UVA exposure from modern tanning devices are alarming in light of the increased focus on UVA irradiance as a carcinogen, and as UVA exposure confers little protection against subsequent UV exposure.

Mapping radon hazard areas using 238U measurements and geological units: a study in a high background radiation city of China

In order to identify radon-prone areas and evaluate radon risk level, a soil gas radon survey combined with gamma-ray spectrometry measurements was carried out in Shenzhen City, south China. Meanwhile, the statistical analysis was applied to evaluate the distribution of measured results. This paper presents the methodology of the radon risk assessment. A radon risk map was accomplished based on a combination of soil gas radon concentration (RC), soil air permeability (Perm.) and uranium (²³⁸U) concentration. The results showed that the distribution of soil gas RC and radon-prone areas were closely related to geologic distribution of uranium (²³⁸U) and local lithology.