AN investigation into the standard of tanning salons revealed that three-quarters of sunbeds tested exceeded safe levels of UV radiation.

North Yorkshire County Council’s trading standards officers are so concerned at a sample test of businesses in Northallerton and Harrogate that they are to launch a countywide probe into the facilities.

The permitted limit for UV radiation from sun lamps is roughly equivalent to the midday sun in a Mediterranean country.

However, the survey found that only two beds in a sample of eight were within safe limits. The remaining beds were emitting radiation at between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half times the limit.

The beds that failed the tests were all taken out of use until they were repaired or the bulbs replaced.

“Sunbeds that fail to meet the requirements are putting consumers at immediate risk of severe burning and may well have longer term health implications,” said County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire’s executive member for trading standards.

“Following these worrying results, trading standards officers will make further visits to tanning salons across the county in the near future to ensure that traders are being responsible and complying with the safety requirements.

“Those premises that are found to have unsafe sunbeds can expect that they will not be permitted to continue in use until they are made safe.”

Officers are warning people who may be tempted to prolong a holiday tan with a sunbed to be aware they may be risking serious skin damage.

Research by Cancer Research UK found levels of UV radiation from sunbeds can be more than six times higher than that of the midday sun and skin cancer risk from sunbeds more than double that of spending the same length of time in the Mediterranean midday summer sun.

In 2011 the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act was passed, which required businesses to prevent anyone aged under 18 from using them, to protect them from the exposure to ultraviolet light which can cause skin cancer.

Anyone who is concerned about a sunbed they have used should ring Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06 to report it.

Further information on the health risks associated with sunbeds can be found at www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/852.aspx?CategoryID=87