U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, released the following statement Monday on news the Food and Drug Administration is proposing new standards and labeling for tanning lamps.
DeLauro, a former chair of the subcommittee that funds the FDA, has long fought to ensure consumers have information about the dangers of indoor tanning. More information on the proposed FDA standards can be found on their website.
“I am glad the FDA is moving forward with a clear
warning about the risks of indoor tanning, but I still have concerns
about the details and implementation of this proposal," DeLauro said.
"I will continue
to press the agency to ensure that consumers get
the information they need to make informed choices.
“The National Cancer Institute estimates melanoma,
the deadliest form of skin cancer, will cause 76,000 cases and 9,000
American deaths this year, " DeLauro said.
"Research has found that the risk of melanoma
increases by 75 percent when people start using
tanning beds before age 35.
"More than three years ago an FDA advisory
committee recommended reclassifying tanning beds to better reflect their
risk. Having a carcinogenic product easily available to minors is
unacceptable and we must ensure strong performance
standards are in place to better protect consumers.”
DeLauro has repeatedly called for FDA action on tanning beds, including:
·
A
bipartisan amendment that would have required the FDA to reclassify tanning beds
·
Multiple
letters
to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, urging the agency to appropriately label and classify tanning beds
·
A
speech urging the FDA to re-classify tanning beds in order to better inform the public about the health risk they pose
·
Highlighting
a report by the journal Lancet Oncology concluding the ultraviolet light used in tanning beds is as carcinogenic as asbestos, radium, arsenic and cigarettes.
This post is taken from a press release from DeLauro's office.
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