title: The Growing Public Health Challenges of Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation From Use of Indoor Tanning Devices in the United States.
abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is recognized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the world's authority on cancer research. In particular, exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to melanoma of the skin, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer in the United States. Yet despite the significant public health burden that is associated with skin cancer in the United States, each year over a million Americans engage in indoor tanning where exposure to artificial ultraviolet radiation occurs. In this article, we argue for an immediate ban on the use of commercial indoor tanning by minors and, based on international precedents, the phasing out of all commercial tanning operations in the United States. We consider the use of indoor tanning devices in the United States, epidemiological data on indoor tanning devices and cancer, regulation of tanning devices, and scientific evidence for increased government intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Risk Science Center, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA dibowman@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Diana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Maximilian S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D001505:Beauty Culture / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D033242:Minors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013219:State Government; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: UV radiation; environmental health policy; indoor tanning; melanoma