New York health inspectors report finding safety violations in 70 percent of the tanning devices examined recently in three upstate counties.
Over the past several months, inspectors from the department's Oneonta office say they examined 41 tanning devices in Delaware, Greene and Otsego counties, with unsafe conditions found in 29.
Violations included ultraviolet light bulbs not used in accordance with the manufacturer's labeling; failure to control timers, allowing customers to set their own exposure times; and no labels on tanning devices.
Many were found using unapproved disinfectants and inadequately maintaining customer records.
The department says most operators corrected the violations within a few days.
Indoor tanning produces UV radiation that darkens the skin, like sunlight does, and raises the risk for skin cancer, premature skin aging, burns and eye damage.
© 2015 AP
