Dangers of Tanning Beds No Light Matter

Recent claims by indoor tanning salons that tanning is not only safe but also provides health benefits caught the eye of Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau.  “Summer is here, and people — particularly teens and young adults — think they look better with a tan.  It worries me that some may be tempted to visit an indoor tanning salon excessively, especially if they believe the salons’ claims that indoor tanning is safe,” says Landau.

 

The American Suntanning Association (ASA) is an association of tanning salons who state their mission as “play[ing] a lead role in the development of scientifically supported information regarding UV light from the sun, sunbeds and spray tanning by working with scientific groups, government agencies and the media.”  ASA wants to convince the government (through lobbying) that vitamin D deficiency is a serious health concern and that indoor tanning provides a safe way for people to obtain adequate vitamin D.

California Senator Ted Lieu went so far as to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging the agency to prohibit false statements made by ASA and tanning salons, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tanning salons. Currently tanning beds are regulated as class I medical devices — on par with tongue depressors and elastic bandages — rather than the dangerous devices they are.

A young woman actually sued several salons after she was diagnosed at age 27 with melanomas.  She had been using tanning salons since her teens, with no one ever telling her it would increase her risk of cancer.  Two of the salons settled.  A jury found that three other salons were negligent, but that the negligence did not cause the woman’s cancer. (Powell v. Instant Replay Video, Inc., No. G.D. 10-017959 (Pa., Allegheny Co. Com. Pleas filed Apr.18, 2011))

When it comes to tanning — be it indoor or outdoor — the scientific evidence is there to show the dangers of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.  Lawyer Landau recommends staying away from tanning beds and always using broad spectrum sunscreens when spending any time in the sun.

If you or someone you know has been harmed by false claims and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call Abrams Landau, Ltd. at once (703-796-9555).