EFN

The International Agency for Research on Cancer on Tuesday upgraded tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category, “carcinogenic to humans,” according to a new report.

The upgrade puts tanning beds alongside tobacco, alcohol and asbestos.

Classified in 1992 and a “probable” cancer factor, research since then has left no question that absorbing UV rays at tanning salons drastically heightens the risks of getting the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) agency determined.

The new classification was certainly well received by cancer and skin experts who said the Government must now ban under-18s from using tanning beds.

Government health officials, who have resisted previous calls to regulate the industry, said : “Tanning beds can be dangerous – we must ensure that people who use them do so safely. If necessary we will look at new laws to protect young people.”

The new findings of around 20 studies conclude the danger of skin cancer rises by 75 percent when people begin using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also learned that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

“People need to be reminded of the risks of tanning beds,” said Vincent Cogliano, one of the study’s authors. “We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don’t think they need to use tanning beds to get a tan.”