The number and usage of sunbeds in Iceland 1988 and 2005

Abstract

Reliable quantitative information on historic sunbed usage in Iceland is presently of great interest because it is a known risk factor for melanoma which incidence rate has increased rapidly, especially among women. In this paper, data from two sunbed surveys in the years 1988 and 2005 are presented and discussed. Iceland has a relatively large number of sunbeds. In 1988 more than 1.5 sunbeds were listed per 1000 inhabitants living in the Reykjavik area. In the more recent survey from 2005, more than 1.0 sunbed was listed per 1000 inhabitants living outside the Reykjavik area. The data on sunbeds are supplemented by comparable Swedish data and information obtained in yearly telephone polls on sunbed usage, conducted since 2004. UVR exposure from sunbeds is estimated to be 2-3 tanning sessions per year, per person (all ages). The data presented have been collected by the Icelandic Radiation Protection Institute in co-operation with the Environment and Food Agency, Capacent-Gallup, the Cancer society, Icelandic dermatologists and the Health directorate.