Dozens of sunbeds breach legal limits

Dozens of sunbeds across Derbyshire have been found to be emitting dangerously high levels of ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Spot checks on 32 tanning salons in Chesterfield, Erewash and the High Peak found 45 sunbeds breached the legal UV output limit.

Tanning lamps are restricted to a certain power by law and the legal limit of 0.3 watts per square metre was adopted across Europe in 2009 because of growing health concerns.

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Councillor Dave Allen, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for health and communities, said: “It’s shocking that the majority of tanning beds in local salons failed to meet these safety standards.

“We want to ensure that operators meet their legal obligations to ensure the safety of their employees and sunbed users.

“We’ve issued warnings to all businesses where we found tanning units that are too powerful. We will continue monitoring them and if they fail to bring their equipment into compliance they will face enforcement action.”

On the Derbyshire Times’ Facebook group, Sheila Cresswell said: “I never use sunbeds. I lost a friend to skin cancer when she was only 40. It’s not worth it. Look after your skin.”