Tougher regulations needed for solariums
Tue 09 October 2007
Kylie Stephenson, Journalism
New research has shown an upsurge in solarium businesses across Queensland, drawing attention to increased health risks associated with solaria tans.
Research published in the Australian New Zealand Journal of Public Health on August 31, 2007, showed the number of solarium businesses registered with Yellow Pages in Brisbane increased by 327 per cent between 1992 and 2006.
Cancer Council Queensland Sunsmart co-ordinator Lisa Naumann said the revelation that solariums were increasing at such a rapid rate was of major concern.
“This study backs existing research showing thousands of Queenslanders are being needlessly exposed to excessive UV radiation and an increased risk of skin cancer through solariums,” Ms Naumann said.
Ms Naumann said solaria emit UV radiation five times stronger than the midday sun. Most solaria emit both UVA and UVB rays, which are responsible for causing sunburn, wrinkling and ageing of the skin, and skin cancer.
“Anyone who thinks solariums offer a ‘safe’ way of tanning should think again,” Ms Naumann said.
The Australian solarium industry operates under a voluntary Australian Solarium Standard.
Ms Naumann said the push for tougher regulation of the standard is a major priority considering the surge of solaria and low levels of compliance.
“The Queensland Cancer Council is pushing for legislation and regulation of the standard and also push for the enforcement of new guidelines that prohibit people under 18 from using solariums,” she said.
The Australian Solarium Standard AS2635-2002 recommends that solarium operators provide consent forms for all clients at their first session detailing the risks associated with deliberate exposure to UV radiation.
The standard also states that fair-skinned people and those under 15 years old are to be refused from using solarium services.
Previous research released by the Cancer Council NSW in 2005 showed that few solarium businesses were compliant with more than 10 of the 13 recommendations outlined in the standard in that state.
The study concluded that a higher level of compliance was required to reduce the harm associated with solaria use.
The Australian Solarium Association also supports the push for legislation and regulations in the solarium industry.
The association believes that education and voluntary adherence to the Australian Solarium Standard does not seem to work despite the standard being readily available on the internet.
QML Pathology Sunshine Coast pathologist-in-charge John Adkins said he did not feel the incidence of skin cancers had increased over the years, though he was seeing enough in young people to be concerned.
“I think a lot of people are under the misconception that solaria is ok; that they are probably filtered or special or not the dangerous UV type,” Dr Adkins said.
Dr Adkins believes there needs to be regulation in the industry but doubts that solarium owners will be qualified enough to look at someone and judge the risk their skin type.
“Should they all have some sort of basic medical training? Probably not. It’s a very subjective thing, actually, so it would be a very difficult area to police,” Dr Adkins said.
Ms Naumann said more than 2300 Queenslanders are diagnosed with a melanoma each year and more than 270 people lose their lives to the disease.
Dr Adkins said that if they are not detected early and the cancers metastasise, it will most likely be fatal.
“Not all melanomas are pigmented and often it’s the progression of the primary lesion where it was a little pink lump on the skin that doesn’t look worrisome but invades and the first thing you know about it is that you have a lump in the neck or armpit,” Dr Adkins said.
Fair-skinned Brisbane resident Shelly Carson said she used a solarium when she was 19-years-old.
“I used it more than 10 times at five to 10 minute intervals with no sun protection cream because I thought then that it would speed up the tanning process,” Ms Carson said.
She said that at no time was she provided with a consent form or was told her skin was too fair and should not be subjected to high levels of UV radiation.
“I loved my tan while it lasted, but now I am left with a lot more moles than I ever had before I started using it,” Ms Carson said.
Ms Carson said she is now more alert to the risks and affects that skin cancer has on sufferers and their families since two family members have died from melanoma.
“I feel that people don’t take notice of the effects of solariums until they lose somebody close to them from skin cancer or they go through it themselves,” Ms Carson said.
Ms Naumann said the ultimate protection from the effects of UV radiation is to be comfortable in your own skin and not to take unnecessary risks.
“It’s not worth it,” she said.
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