An underestimated danger: UV radiation in solariums

"Spectrum. The most dangerous artwork" a light installation Source: Dennis Schnieber

At Berlin's Reinbeckhallen on 22 January 2020, German Cancer Aid and Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Prävention (ADP) presented a light installation intended to raise awareness of the risks of using solariums. The opening was also attended by Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Environment (BMU), and Dr Inge Paulini, President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS).

On 23 January, the public was able to view the work of art – and learn more about the topic – from 10 am to 10 pm.

Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter: "UV radiation is responsible for sunburn, sun allergy, skin ageing – even at a young age – and, in the worst case scenario, skin cancer. But even today, people don't use appropriate UV protection as a matter of course. The risks are still widely underestimated. We therefore want to provide more comprehensive information – not only on the risks but also on dealing with UV radiation responsibly – and thereby to ensure better UV protection."

President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Dr Inge Paulini

Consistent implementation of the prohibition on solarium use by minors

BfS President Inge Paulini said: "UV radiation has been proven to be carcinogenic. For a number of years, the BfS has therefore been calling for consistent implementation of the prohibition on solarium use by minors. That also applies to hotels and gyms, even if compliance is harder to monitor in those environments."

It has been scientifically proven that the UV radiation used in solariums is just as carcinogenic for humans as UV radiation from the sun. In 2016, there were around 272,000 new cases of skin cancer in Germany, where around 4,000 people die of skin cancer each year. The number of new cases is increasing worldwide and has more than doubled in Germany in the last 20 years. This increase is due to changes in recreational behaviour, the use of solariums, and a lack of awareness of the health consequences of exposure to UV radiation.

Children's skin is particularly sensitive

The skin of children and adolescents is particularly sensitive to UV radiation, and the risk of developing skin cancer due to exposure to UV radiation is especially high in these groups of individuals. Since 2009, therefore, there has been a prohibition on allowing minors to use solariums. The operators of solariums are responsible for complying with this prohibition.

A BfS survey from last year revealed that the topic of UV protection has become firmly established in the minds of the general public. A good 55% of those surveyed said that they were concerned about UV radiation, and most respondents also said that they protect themselves by applying sun cream or spray as well as by avoiding spending long periods of time in the sun (84% in both cases).