The carcinogenic effect of 3 commercially available ultraviolet A (UVA) tanning sources was studied in lightly pigmented hairless mice. The tanning sources (Bellarium-S SA-1-12 and Philips TL 09R and TL 10R) have different emission spectra and emit different quantities of UVB. The tanning sources were administered either alone, or before irradiation with solar-simulated UV (solar UV). All 3 UVA tanning sources were able to induce skin tumors when administered in daily doses resembling those used in tanning salons (20 min/d, 5 d/week). Irradiation with Bellarium-S during 32 weeks induced skin tumors in all mice; a similar response was seen after 66 weeks of irradiation with Philips TL 09R. Irradiation with Philips TL 10R during 98 weeks induced tumors in 6 of 20 mice. Nine groups of 20 mice were pretreated 20 min/d, 5 d/week during 13 weeks with one of the UVA tanning sources. Three groups were irradiated with Bellarium-S, 3 groups with Philips TL 09R and 3 groups with Philips TL 10R in daily doses ranging from 0.2 to 1.8 minimum erythema doses (MED). The highest daily doses were equivalent to the doses received during one session in a commercial solarium. Subsequently all 9 groups were irradiated with 3.1 MED/d solar UV 10 min/d, 4 d/week until all mice had died. Time to first tumor was compared. All groups pretreated with Bellarium-S and Philips TL 09R showed an enhanced tumor development compared with a group irradiated with solar UV only. Pretreatment with Philips TL 10R did not enhance the carcinogenic effect of solar UV.