In recent years, tanning beds have been seen as a health risk, but they are now considered as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas, according to an international cancer study.

The risk of skin cancer increases to 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30, according to the analysis of 20 studies published by experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The discovery lumps tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation with tobacco, the hepatitis B virus, chimney sweeping and others as definite causes of cancer. Before this finding, tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation were classified as ‘probable carcinogens.’

A recent release from the American Cancer Society noted the study ‘has elevated tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category: Carcinogenic to humans.’ In light of the survey, the American Cancer Society would not like people to use tanning beds at all.

The Heat, a tanning salon in Bowling Green, makes sure they post the rules about tanning.

‘Everything the Ohio State Board requires, we have out,’ said Amanda Keltner, an employee at The Heat.

Even though tanning beds have been added to the highest cancer risk category, Keltner said she was still in support of indoor tanning.

‘It’s like saying water causes drowning, so you should avoid it,’ she said.

Keltner also said no customers have asked about the new World Health Organization statistics regarding tanning.

Junior Latoya Brown doesn’t think people take health studies like this seriously.

‘I’ve heard people say, at least they know they’ll look good when they die,’ Brown said.

Rachael Gargano, 19, from Ohio University, said her grandfather had skin cancer and she wants people her age to know and understand just how bad tanning is for someone’s health.

Gargano recently paid a visit to her dermatologist and said her doctor told her skin cancer is the number one cancer for women in their twenties.

‘People don’t think about the future,’ Gargano said. ‘They only think about now and how they want to look.’

However, University senior Lucas Ratliff said while he believes tanning places should let their customers know about the new findings and all of the risks associated with indoor tanning, he understands why people tan regardless of the risks.

‘It’s like any other thing,’ Ratliff said. ‘They have a right to do what they want.’