Health Canada is warning consumers not to use an unlicensed ultraviolet (UV) sunlamp for safety concerns over possible skin reactions, burns and eye damage.
The item is the Chroma D-Light, which is sold online and advertised as a way to help support vitamin D levels.
“The lamp may pose health risks due to excessive and unsafe UV radiation levels,” the notice says.
According to the advisory, excessive exposure to UV radiation from using the lamp can cause skin reactions and burns, eye damage, premature skin aging and skin cancer with repeated exposure.
In Canada, it is illegal to advertise and import for sale, or sell, medical devices without appropriate licensing under the Medical Devices Regulations, the notice says.
As a result, Health Canada has requested that the company address the safety concerns and is asking retailers that sell unlicensed Chroma D-Light UV lamps to stop selling them.
Health Canada also notes that it will notify the public should any other safety concerns arise.
The department asks that if you have used this lamp, or any unlicensed UV lamp, and are experiencing skin reactions and burns or eye damage to consult with a health-care provider.
For preventative action, Health Canada asks the public to be wary of the risks of buying medical devices online and verify if a UV lamp has been licensed for sale by searching the medical devices active licence listing.
Health Canada also asks the public to report any health product-related side effects or complaints to the department and to stay current on its recalls and safety alerts database for advisories on illegal health products.