Advisory letter UV radiation and sunbeds

In July 2009 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) modified the classification of tanning devices emitting ultraviolet (UV) radiation (sunbeds) from ‘possible carcinogenic for humans’ to ‘carcinogenic for humans’. In an advisory letter presented on 12 November 2009 to the ministers of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Enviroment and of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Health Council provides further details on the background and significance of the revised IARC classification and of the scientific knowledge available on the effects of UV radiation. The council not only discusses the negative effects of exposure to UV radiation, with special attention to the formation of skin cancer, but also an important positive effect: the production of vitamin D. 

Committee

The Standing Committee on Radiation and Health that drafted this advisory letter was made up of the following persons:

• Professor M. de Visser, President
  Vice President of the Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague
  Professor of neuromuscular diseases, University of Amsterdam
• Professor D. van Norren, Vice President
  Professor of ocular physics, University of Utrecht
• Dr. L.M. van Aernsbergen, observer
  Physicist, Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague
• Dr. H.F. Boersma
  Physicist, University of Groningen
• Dr. J. Geleijns
  Physicist, Leiden University Medical Centre
• Dr. F.R. de Gruijl
  Biophysicist, Leiden University Medical Centre
• Professor T.H.J.J. van der Hagen
  Professor of reactor physics, Delft University of Technology
• Professor M.G.M. Hunink
  Professor of medical epidemiology and biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam
• Dr. A. Keverling Buisman, adviser
  Physicist, Schoorl
• Professor A.J. van der Kogel
  Professor of radiobiology, Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen
• Professor J.J.W. Lagendijk
  Professor of medical physics, University Medical Centre Utrecht
• Professor J.W. Leer
  Professor of radiotherapy, Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen
• L.W. Meinders, observer
  Dutch Health Care Inspectorate, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, The Hague
• Professor L. Mullenders
  Professor of toxicogenetics, Leiden University Medical Centre
• Professor W.F. Passchier
  Emeritus Professor of risk analysis, University of Maastricht
• Professor T.J.F. Savelkoul
  Professor of medical toxicology and radiation protection, Leiden University Medical Centre
• A.M.T.I. Vermeulen, observer
  Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, The Hague
• Professor L. Verschaeve
  Professor of toxicology, University of Antwerp, Belgium
• Professor A. Vander Vorst
  Emeritus Professor of electrical engineering, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium
• Professor A.A. van Zeeland
  Professor of molecular radiation dosimetry and radiation mutagenesis, University of Leiden
• Dr. E. van Rongen, scientific secretary
  Radiobiologist, Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague