Letter to Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Letter

May 23, 3007

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857

Dear Dr. von Eschenbach:

We are writing to express our strong support for the Food and Drug Administration to issue a comprehensive sunscreen monograph that includes strong standards for protection against cancer causing UVA rays as well as UVB.

As you know, rising skin cancer rates pose a growing threat to the American public. As we head into another summer season, we believe twenty-nine years is too long for the public to have to wait for a sunscreen labeling change that will inform them of UVA and UVB protection. One American dies every hour from skin cancer, and the aggregate healthcare costs associated with its detection and treatment grow every day. Despite these alarming statistics, and a Congressional directive in the FY 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Act calling for the FDA to complete the sunscreen monograph by May 2006, the FDA has not acted to protect the public and respond to Congress.

Currently, the FDA only requires sunscreen to provide protection against UVB radiation, the portion of the UV spectrum that causes sunburn and contributes to incidence of skin cancer. However, no specific FDA requirements exist for protection against UVA radiation, the harmful rays that are a major cause of skin cancer and premature aging. We continue to find this baffling since many other countries, including the European Union, have adopted sunscreen standards including UVA to protect their citizens.

Please take the necessary steps to quickly issue the comprehensive sunscreen monograph that includes protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Broad-spectrum sunscreen standards will help reduce America's risk of skin cancer and curb the health care costs associated with skin cancer.

Thank you for your interest in this matter and we look forward to receiving your response.

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