Eighteen tanning beds, banned in Brazil for causing skin cancer, were seized in aesthetic clinics in Boa Vista after a client reported severe burns during a session.
In a recent operation named 'Marquinha Proibida,' law enforcement officials seized 18 artificial tanning beds from various aesthetic clinics in Boa Vista, Roraima. This operation was initiated after a customer complained to the police about suffering severe burns following an ultraviolet (UV) tanning session. The enforcement action spanned across ten locations in seven neighborhoods of the capital, highlighting the widespread issue of illegal tanning bed usage in the region.
Tanning beds that utilize UV lamps for cosmetic purposes have been prohibited in Brazil since November 2009, as mandated by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The regulation explicitly bans the importation, sale, rental, or use of these devices due to the significant health risks they pose, including skin burns, ocular injuries, premature aging, and an increased likelihood of developing skin cancer. The authorities emphasized that these tanning beds are not only illegal but also severely harmful to public health.
The investigation launched by the Consumer Protection Department (DDCON) was prompted by a report from the municipal health surveillance agency about the illegal provision of tanning services. It underscores the need for stringent regulations and enforcement to protect consumers from hazardous health practices and to ensure public awareness regarding the dangers associated with tanning bed use.
