I-Team Investigations

by Jim Osman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― A CBS 3 I-Team Investigation reveals an instant summer beauty treatment that contains some ugly and potentially dangerous chemicals. Investigative Reporter Jim Osman reports the hidden camera investigation revealed what tanning salon employees aren't telling you about spray tans.

It's a six second, affordable way to a better you. Spray tans are intended as a healthy alternative to baking in the sun, but that quick tan can come along with some startling toxic chemicals.

"Basically anybody going into one of these tanning salons needs to be protected," said toxicologist Dr. David Wade.

The CBS 3 I-Team exposed why even the F.D.A. believes spray tans are unsafe and why you might never know about it.

Undercover cameras went to Planet Beach Mystic Tan in Marlton, New Jersey as we're told spray tan booths have the full backing of the government.

"The F.D.A. says none of the particles or chemicals in this machine are bad for you," one employee assured the CBS 3 I-Team.

But the F.D.A. has said nothing of the sort. It was one of many surprising assurances.

"There's nothing in that that's cause for concern or they wouldn't have that machine," said the employee.

At Hollywood Tan on Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill, CBS 3's undercover producer was comforted by an employee who said not to worry what they would be breathing in inside the enclosed booths.

"Oh its fine like it's not toxic it's not going to you know affect you in anyway," the employee said.

There's one problem, the CBS 3 I-Team discovered the spray tan solution D.H.A. contains lead, mercury and arsenic.

In the 1970's the government approved D.H.A. for bronzers to be rubbed on your skin.

The government had not specifically approved its use in spray tan booths because they are not sure if it's safe to get in your eyes or mouth.

Federal regulators, for now, call the procedure "unsafe," which was far different than what the CBS 3 I-Team heard undercover.

"I'm assuming they don't know what the law says," said Dr. Wade.

Toxicologist Dr. Wade said consumers should walk out if a spray tan establishment does not insist you wear protection.

"If the material is applied without protecting the eyes, nose and mouth, it's being applied incorrectly and could be harmful," he said.

The word apparently has not reached Delaware Valley spray tan places.

"So you don't have to wear an eye protection or nose filter," asked CBS 3 I-Team's undercover producer.

"No. No eye protection. No. No nose filters. No," said one employee.

Planet Beach Mystic Tan in Haddonfield eventually said they had protections, but an employee said, "But we don't use them, we don't recommend it, it's not necessary"

Only Bronzed Bodies in West Berlin place we visited urged us to take the correct precautions.

A few others showed us videos that incorrectly told us to just close our eyes and hold our breath.

Wrong information or plain confusion about what we now know the government really says about what comes blasting at you in a spray tan booth.

"They should know what the product is their using and what it says regarding its use," Dr. Wade said.

Planet Beach in Marlton did have a safety video playing in the lobby on the proper precautions, despite what their employee said.

A manager said consumers must sign a release acknowledging they should take precautions before getting a spray tan and that they sell eye and nose protection.

Planet Beach in Haddonfield and the Hollywood Tans in Cherry Hill did not return calls made by the I-Team.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)