Thursday, July 30, 2009
VERITAS: TOUCHDOWN- REPORT ON TANNING BEDS BLINDINGLY CLEAR
The actual language by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC – a subset of the World Health Organization) was actually rather bland, but the impact of its report on the dangers posed by tanning beds was a shot heard ‘round the world. “Sunbeds pose such a risk of causing cancer they have now been moved to the highest level of danger classification, putting them on a par with asbestos, mustard gas and particles from atomic bombs,” was the lead on one report, and reflecting the majority of media coverage. The IARC ranks exposure to stuff based on its potential to cause cancer, and after reviewing the latest available research, the agency moved the ultraviolet radiation produced by tanning beds from “probably carcinogenic” to “carcinogenic to humans” – landing them in the same category as arsenic, plutonium and the aforementioned asbestos and mustard gas. It’s about as damning as it gets, and presented a huge issue management challenge for the electric beach industry. The Indoor Tanning Association gamely fired back with full-page newspaper ads in the U.S., noting that just as with the sun itself, it’s “overexposure” that is dangerous, and that tanning bed UV radiation is no different from red wine or salted fish in that regard. It will be a long and tough fight for them.
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1 comments:
The IARC, a 'neutral' agency, has put together a report based on a flawed analysis. The information compiled was a meta-analysis that picked at pieces of research ignoring numbers that would generate a more realistic understanding of UV radiation.
Could this be a set up by the $35 billion sunscreen industry? I wouldn't be surprised. Look at it from a PR-Marketing perspective on their behalf...
Not only was this report launced in the middle of the summer, when the tanning industry hits low incomes regardless of negative media attention, it was launched right before the long weekend. This has created the perfect reminder to run out and stock up on suncreen; in the mean time most salons are closed.
On a larger scale this doesn't affect the indoor tanning industry. This business picks up October-November when the weather gets cooler and by then this study will no longer be on tanners minds.
In addition, keep in mind the internal relationship of the tanner and salon worker. In the tanning industry you do not just recieve a service but you recieve a friend; someone you bring a coffee to and chat with for an hour. Salon workers create a bond with their customers that can't be broken by the latest news story. In fact, it only compels them to run to the salon to get their friends opinion.
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