In Brazil you can not go to a tanning bed anymore. Resolution RDC 56/09 was passed in November 2009 and prohibits the use of indoor tanning beds for cosmetic purposes throughout Brazil. This came because of the International Association for Research on Cancer adding tanning beds to its list of world’s most dangerous cancer causing substances. So tanning beds are now up there with cigarettes, plutonium, and solar radiation.
Why the hard push? A Lancet publication (very reputable medical journal) cited evidence that first use of tanning beds before age 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%. In Brazil, skin cancer is the most common cancer.
Brazil is the first country to enact restrictions against UV emitting tanning devices. It says you cannot receive, import, donate or rent such equipment. There was of course a big bruhaha, which I won’t address in this blog. The tanning industry was up in arms, lots of protests and lawsuits, which ended with the courts of Brazil saying “the health of Brazil’s citizens in this case overrides the economic interests.”
Regardless of what you think about this from a political freedom perspective, this controversy highlights the danger of UV damage. For those who live in sunny places (California for us), we have a lot of UV exposure just from daily life. Walking to your car, eating lunch outside, hiking, a bike ride. Then there are more concentrated times you are outside: parks, pools, and the beach. This outdoor UV exposure is “solar UV,” and is something we need to manage with clothing, hats, sunscreen, etc.
Tanning beds are on the Group One list of world’s most dangerous cancer causing substances (with plutonium! still can’t get over that).
It is food for thought when you think about getting a “base tan” for your vacation or “a little color” before wearing that dress.