What's New?
.	NRC Chairman Resigns
.	NAS Report on Future Workforce Needs
.	Hodes Award Nominations Request
.	Radiation Risks and Protective Actions
.	June Journal
.	IAEA Conference - Rad Protection in Medicine
.	HPS Mentoring Program Update
.	New Low-Level Waste Site Operational
.	May Newsletter
.	America's Nuclear Future Report

Upcoming Events
.	Canadian Radiation Protection Association Annual Meeting 27-30 May 2012 Halifax, Nova Scotia
.	ACS Undergrad Summer Schools 10 June - 20 July 2012
.	NRC Meeting Webcasts May-June 2012
.	57th Annual HPS Meeting 22-26 July 2012 Sacramento, CA
.	37th Annual Conference of the Australasian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS) 14-17 Oct 2012 Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
.	International Conference on Radiation Shielding 2-7 Nov 2012 Nara, Japan

24 May 2012

Answer to Question #3527 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Pregnancy and Radiation — Tanning

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I have done lots of research on the Internet in reference to tanning while pregnant. I asked my doctor because he says that it's not the radiation that he is concerned about. It's the fact that the radiation increases the body's temperature and that can cause birth defects! Is this true? I am six months pregnant; isn't my baby already developed anyway?

The light waves that are involved in tanning do not penetrate beyond the superficial layers of the skin and will have no effect on the developing embryo and fetus at any stage of development. At six months of pregnancy all of the organs are developed and the fetus is primarily growing, although some tissues are still developing. You can be assured that the tanning is not going to increase your risk for any reproductive effects, even during the earliest stage of pregnancy. It is true that very high temperatures in a pregnant woman could interfere with development, but this will not happen in a tanning salon. Prolonged stays in a hot tub might represent a risk if it is overdone. So relax and enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy---and good luck.

Robert Brent MD, PhD

Answer posted on 10 March 2004. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.