BREWSTER, NY—Spring brings warm, sunny weather. During spring break, the weather also brings crowds of travelers south to the beaches. The timing of spring vacations varies from year to year, and from school to school, but they generally fall between early March and early April. So, the Putnam County Department of Health is alerting residents of all ages to the hazards of tanning, both at the beach, and in tanning salons.

These dangers prompted a change in New York State public health law in August 2018 and today those under the age of 18 are prohibited from using UV radiation devices. According to the market research firm IBISWorld, the number of facilities has declined just over 8 percent on average from 2018 to 2023.

“There are now five tanning facilities in Putnam County, and each one is inspected annually,” says Marianne Burdick, MPH, an associate public health sanitarian at the health department. “Permits are issued for two years. However, to ensure that the proper protocols are being followed, and the tanning beds are being maintained, the PCDOH inspects each facility yearly.”

The health department sanitarians check for appropriate wattage in the UV bulbs and make sure all emergency shut-off controls are functioning, among other things. Safety eyewear must be available free of charge to the clients, and tanning beds, pillows and headrests must be sanitized between customers, so these supplies are checked as well.

“We make sure the equipment is running properly but that does not change the fact that all tanning is harmful,” says Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, the outgoing interim health commissioner. He adds, “UV radiation from tanning devices or the sun can damage the skin, eyes, and even the immune system.

Tanning is the body’s response when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet or UV radiation. The skin becomes damaged and produces extra pigment to protect itself. The pigment makes the skin look darker or tanned. UV radiation is a form of energy classified as a carcinogen. Whether a person is exposed to it in sunlight or a tanning bed makes no difference. The result is the same—skin damage.

This damage can lead to three types of skin cancer. Basal and squamous cell forms are less aggressive. Melanoma is the most serious and the most likely to spread to other parts of the body. It is among the top four cancers for adults aged 20 to 34 years. Annually more than 4,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with skin cancer and nearly 500 die.

Many people underestimate the hazards of tanning. In a survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology that looked at more than 1,000 adults in the U.S., they found several myths that people believed about tanning: 22 percent thought that a base tan would prevent a sunburn; 18 percent believed tanning would decrease the risk of skin cancer; 20 percent thought tanning was safe as long as you didn’t burn; and 13 percent thought tanning was healthy. The fact is that not one of these four ideas is true. All tanning and burns increase a person’s risk of skin cancer and pre-mature skin aging, including wrinkles, sagging and dark spots. More information about tanning dangers in English and Spanish can be found by clicking on the health department’s Environmental Health Services page under “Information for Residents” and then under “Additional Services” in the center menu.

Outdoors there are ways to protect oneself from UV rays. The New York State Department of Health website’s skin cancer page covers many of them, including avoiding direct sun from 10am to 4pm when the sunrays are the strongest, and using broad spectrum sunscreen, of at least SPF 15, which blocks out 93 percent of UV rays, or SPF 30, blocking 97 percent of rays. The site also presents information on the individuals who are at greater risk for skin cancer, such as those with blue eyes and fair skin. That does not mean that people of color, with more natural pigment or melanin, are immune to skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer can be worse in Black and Brown people, despite having an overall lower lifetime risk for the disease. A Weill Cornell Medicine webpage presents more details on various risk issues for individuals with darker skin, including lack of consumer awareness and lower likelihood of full-body scans by medical providers due to reduced risk.

Many other useful and comprehensive online sites are available from the American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Dermatology. Both offer information on performing a skin self-exam. Regular body checks at home can be important so that a doctor’s visit is not delayed. Early detection makes treatment easier and health outcomes better.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.

Resources:

NYSDOH skin cancer page
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/skin/

American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/skin-cancer.html

Take a Stand Against the Tan—NYSDOH brochure for parents
www.health.ny.gov/publications/0335.pdf

How to Perform a Skin Self-Exam—American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/skin-exams.html

How to Perform a Skin Self-Exam—American Academy of Dermatology
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/check-skin

IBISWorld
https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/number-of-businesses/tanning-salons/1721/