Tanning bed
A solarium ( in Germany known colloquially tanning ) is a technical device for irradiating the body with UV light. As a rule, bring into action a browning of the skin for cosmetic reasons; Solariums are also used in medicine for treatment of skin diseases. The Latin word solarium existed in ancient times. It is derived from sol ( " sun") and originally referred to a terrace or a flat roof. The word was borrowed for the first time in the Old High German period and still lives as Söller on. According to statistics from December 2010, there were 45,000 commercial- tanning devices in Germany. On average German visit approximately two to three times a year a solarium. Individuals can also irradiate daily (as of 2002).
At the same time for years politicians, doctors and health organizations warn as the German Cancer Aid of the dangers of artificial UV rays because a use may increase the risk of skin cancer. One result is that as of 1 January 2012, the regulation on the protection against harmful effects of artificial ultraviolet radiation ( UVSV ) [ Regulation according to § § 3 and 5, paragraph 2 of the Law on Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation ( NiSG ) ] came into force. It provides "for more security in solariums ." The Australian New South Wales has banned the operation of Tanning Salons to the end of 2014 in February 2012.
Technology
The main technical components of a solarium are an artificial source of UV radiation, various filters and reflectors and a mechanical structure with a set of usable space.
The technical structure and the functioning of the UV radiation source is similar to that of a conventional fluorescent tube. It is a glass flask with double-sided electrodes attached. When current flows emitted by these electrons. A collision of electrons with mercury atoms present in the glass bulb resulting in an emission of ultraviolet radiation. The lamps used in solariums have a phosphor phosphor layer. Upon incidence of the ultraviolet radiation, this is transformed by the phosphor luminescent layer into the desired long-wave spectrum. By adjusting the characteristics of the light-emitting layer, it is possible to adjust the respective proportions of the UV-A and UV-B radiation.
Partially special low pressure tubes are used in tanning beds. These have a longer electrode frame than conventional fluorescent tubes. In low-pressure pipes required for the operation temperature is lower. In addition to increased power results from this property a longer service life.
A technical feature is the reflector layer used in some tanning lamps. By Einschlämmung this in the outer glass bulb reflectors are obsolete in the solariums.
In different strengths of different solariums tanning results can be achieved. This is due to different degrees of UV - tubes, and the other at the various ratios between the UV-A and UV-B moieties of the ultraviolet radiation. During the UV-A portion mainly produces a superficial tan that occurs very quickly and is intense but it also faded quickly, the UV -B radiation is primarily responsible for long tanning results. The disadvantage of UV -B radiation is that the tan only one to two days after the visit to the solarium is visible. It is therefore depending on the desired browning target the appropriate tanning to choose. The instrument hardware in terms of choice of the manufacturer, device type and model may be different from Sun Studio Sun Studio and is at the discretion of the operator. There are few even older equipment in the studios, which can not be certified because of their radiation intensity of 0.6 watts / m² and more and as recommended by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) really should not be operated.
Newer devices ( for example, " 0.3 -watt devices" ) comply with the currently applicable regulatory requirements of the Brussels decision of July 2007 and are considered safe. However, should the use of artificial UV radiation in moderation and responsibly doses.
UV protection in solariums
The BfS offers Solari operators to allow test and certify the safety of their units voluntarily. However, use of this option in the first three years, only 90 of over 4000 commercial sunbed operators. In 2002 the BfS had found in random testing: "A large part of the studied solariums had radiation intensities that exceed the intensity of the midday sun at the equator several times. " Therefore, the irradiation time in the solarium is also usually much shorter than the sun in the nature sun.
A ban on the use of sunbeds for minors on the grounds of the cancer risk was part of the planned and failed in January 2009, the Environmental Code. First, the authorities had (also BfS ) attempts a voluntary system, but very few of the tanning salons made with. The ban was subsequently adopted regardless of the Environmental Code. On 10 March 2009, the draft law of the Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel was adopted by the Federal Cabinet and adopted by the Bundestag on 19 June 2009. On 21 December 2011, the Solari ban for minors was confirmed by the Federal Constitutional Court.
The force since January 2012 on the protection against harmful effects of artificial ultraviolet radiation on the basis of the Law on Protection against non-ionizing radiation in the human use was adopted in December 2010 in the Federal Cabinet. After that, among other things, the presence of trained personnel should be in solariums duty and because of the conversion costs associated often not given compliance with the European irradiation limits are enforced on equipment by means of statute. The decree specifies, inter alia, Requirements for personnel, equipment and information requirements for operators of solariums. In violation of the law since 1 January 2012 are threatening severe penalties.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection, 2007 saw a UV primer with lots of information out. Among other things, there is in it a detailed dosing plan with many clues to be observed.
Health risks
The well-meant intention to leave prior to arrival date, a pre-tanning of the skin appear to be useful is a fallacy, since only the UV -B itself can activate the self-protection, and it is also the harmful UV -A taken into the bargain. For UV radiation that causes tanning, therefore, have a damaging skin lesion never be excluded.
17,000 solariums are in free access areas such as Münzstudios, swimming pools, hotels with spa and fitness facilities and should be abolished from the perspective of health professionals. Of the current 14 million users Solari in the Federal Republic between 18 and 45 years, more than a quarter have already begun at the age of ten to 17 years, with the artificial tanning in tanning salons.
The driving force against the use of sunbeds for cosmetic purposes is the German Cancer Aid since the 1990s. After the organization of skin cancer is the most common cancer in Germany. Around 195,000 people would fall ill each year nationwide because 24,000 of them on the black skin cancer particularly dangerous (malignant melanoma ) per year die of the approximately 3,000 victims. The cancer registries covered by the different types of skin cancer malignant melanoma only. Major risk factor for the development of skin cancer is the natural and artificial UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds.
The World Health Organization rejects the use of sunbeds for cosmetic tanning of the skin from explicitly. It refers to the medical research proven, basically negative impact of UV rays by accelerated aging, increased risk of disease skin cancer and possible damage to the eyes. Since 2009, the WHO classifies tanning beds as carcinogenic. The BfS notes that the possible harmful effects on the immune system in turn can damage the organism as a whole. The Radiation Protection Commission ( SSK) even advises against the use of sunbeds for cosmetic purposes on principle. According to a study by the Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF ) in Dusseldorf which also exiting infrared -A radiation also provides for premature skin aging. Persons who do not want to renounce the use of a solarium, recommends the BFS to clarify the individual risk with a dermatologist before visiting, to minimize the number of visits, not more than 50 visits, including further sun exposure per year to carry out before the holiday on to waive or tanning booths, always wear safety goggles and a corresponding advance not to make use of cosmetics, including sunscreen.
Before visiting a solarium should in principle for first determining the skin type and counseling are available by the personnel. Particularly fair-skinned people with high sunburn and skin cancer risk is also normally discouraged in principle by the use of a solarium.
The Scientific Committee " consumer " of the European Commission advises people with known risk factors for skin cancer not to use sunbeds. This includes individuals with a sensitive skin type, freckles, liver spots, and irregular or numerous family history of melanoma. During the use of tanning beds eye protection should be worn. Solariums may not be used by persons under the age of 18, because the risk of skin cancer is especially high when sunbeds are used in youth.
A 2012 meta-analysis of 27 published European studies on skin cancer risk was increased by 20 percent risk for Solari visitors. This includes anyone who has ever used a solarium. Around 800 melanoma deaths are also expected in Europe by Solari visits per year.
Education about radiation effects
The most spectacular education on health by visiting solariums launched so far the German Cancer Aid in 2012 with the aim to warn all young people from the harmful rays in the solarium. She presented a video to the Internet, where the pig " Rosi" is burned in the laboratory with UV rays. Many people were so outraged that the action on the Net was terminated prematurely. The all-clear came as part of the broadcast TV star: The laboratory experiment was played only experienced with film appearances pig whose real name is Smarty is doing well. Behind this provocative campaign stuck the German Cancer Aid, the " wants to shake with the sharp images especially young people ." Around 3.5 million people aged up to 35 years in Germany to visit current figures solariums, including still 167,000 young people.
Positive health effects
Winter depression
Solaria is attributed to help against the so-called winter depression. This refers to seasonal depression, which occur mainly in the dark autumn and winter months. The low intensity of the sunlight is considered to be the cause for this type of depression. Affected therefore often try to compensate for the lack of light through visits to tanning beds to counteract the winter blues. To treat winter depression, the radiation in tanning beds is however unsuitable.
Winter depression can be treated by phototherapy with special light therapy devices. What is important is the absorption of light on the retina in the eye. The light from the tanning bed, however, is just not suitable for the human eye and harmful for light therapy.
Currently running several medical studies, the extent to which a regular Solari visit can prevent a vitamin D deficiency. Some doctors claim that would require a bi-weekly visit to the solarium for adequate supply of vitamin D in the winter. About this topic is discussed in more controversial in the media.
Use of solariums in Germany
According to an online study, which was conducted from November to December 2012, 5,000 participants, 23.2 % of Germans visit solariums. In Thuringia, almost every third visited a solarium (30 %), while in Bremen only 16.2% of respondents go to a solarium. More than half of respondents ( 53.5 % ) stated that only every few months to go to the solarium. 6.1% of respondents visit the solarium, however, several times a week. With 7.5%, the proportion of men who go several times a week to the solarium, higher than the proportion of women ( 5.0%). Generally shows that men, when they visit solariums, do this more often than women.
Horse Solarium
There are sunbeds for horses, which are held with infrared lamps. These are used to dry wet horses and warm up the muscles, especially in winter.