Tanning dispute rages in Canada

KELOWNA, British Columbia, May 30 (UPI) -- A Canadian association for the indoor tanning industry is taking issue with a dermatologist group's claims the sun lamps don't generate vitamin D.

Doug McNabb, president of the Joint Canadian Tanning Association in Kelowna, British Columbia, issued a statement criticizing the Canadian Dermatology Association position on tanning lamps.

On Wednesday, McNabb and CDA spokeswoman Dr. Lynn Guenther sparred on CBC Radio. Guenther said indoor tanning equipment emits primarily UVA, while it is UVB that's needed by the body to manufacture vitamin D.

McNabb refuted Gunether's claim on the show and in a statement.

"Even Health Canada officially recognizes that indoor tanning beds that emit UVB are a source of vitamin D," McNabb said. "Indoor tanning equipment was invented in Europe specifically for therapeutic purposes. For the CDA to continue to deny this ... is inexplicable."