Studies proving duration threshold for correlation between tanning bed use and melanoma?
Asked by
rjb1983 (
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February 13th, 2011
A lot of dermatological research has demonstrated correlation between tanning bed use and skin cancer, but in cities where vitamin D deficiency is becoming the norm, and perhaps itself a greater carcinogenic risk than skin cancer, some dermatologists have recommended use of tanning beds emitting UVB for very low durations/frequencies (2min, 2x/week). None of the studies I can find indicate the duration threshold or the average duration of the samples used when proving correlation between tanning bed use and melanoma; can any scientists/doctors out there find a study which may assist in determining the duration threshold above which risk for melanoma increases?
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The only “safe” level of UV-B expose is Zero.
We use UV A, B and C here in the lab and treat B and C with a lot of respect.
No way would I expose myself to 2 minutes of UV-B even once, unless I knew the exact dosage and could prove the monitoring equipment was calibrated and functioning.
For the same intensity UV-C is roughly 5x as lethal as UV-B. You can’t see it and you can’t feel it until the damage is done.
Some inexpensive (read Made in China) UV-B sources leak UV-C as well. Unless you have a good meter I’d stay away.
Here are OSHA Canada’s exposure guidelines . I do not know the source of your UV-B but the most common one is 302 nm. Use that to look at the charts provided.
The US Department of Energy’s Information bridge site has a wealth of info on the subject. Also you can use google scholar to find additional papers.
Don’t risk it. Take vitamin D.
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Do you know for sure your D is low. My husband’s is normal. Mine is in the basement without mega doses. Since I found out I do expose my skin more than before to the sun, but I would not bother to use a tanning bed I don’t think. Although, with the research I have read about UVC, maybe if beds definitely did not have UVC I might consider it maybe? I doubt it. Being in the sun with the blue skies and warm weather is so enjoyable to me, if I was not getting the whole experience I would not bother.
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