THE SUITABILITY OF SUNCHECK(R) PATCHES AND TANSCAN(R) CARDS FOR MONITORING THE SUNBURNING EFFECTIVENESS OF SUNLIGHT

UV-sensitive products which undergo a colour change on exposure to UV radiation are available for use by the general public. We have evaluated SunCheck(R) patches of various sensitivities, and Tanscan(R) UV sensor cards, in terms of their temperature stability, wavelength response and response to sunlight. The products exhibited no perceptible colour change when the temperature was maintained at 4 5-degrees-C for 4 hours; on exposure to monochromatic radiation, the sensitivity peaked at a wavelength of 335 and 355 nm for SunCheck(R) and Tanscan(R), respectively; the response to sunlight under clear conditions was reasonably consistent, with the coefficient of variation for each type of material ranging between 12.5 and 27%. These products are based on the incorrect concept that there is a 'safe' dose of UV radiation. Thus, they cannot be recommended to the public as a reliable way of reducing the risk of skin cancer.