High Rate Of Local Unsafe Tanning Devices Found

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 using different replacement ultraviolet light bulbs than the manufacturer specified; 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.