UV Safety Month
The sun emits radiation in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light, which is classified into three types by wavelength: UVA, UVB, and UVC. In the stratosphere, the ozone layer blocks UVC light (shortest wavelength), but UVB and UVA light can pass through the atmosphere.
How Does UV Affect You? UVA penetrates deeply into the skin and is the type of UV radiation that causes wrinkling or leathering of the skin — the effects associated with “photoaging.” UVB is the type of radiation that causes sun burns. Both types can cause skin cancer. Over exposure to UV radiation can also cause eye cataracts, eye damage, skin aging, growths on the skin, and suppression of the immune system.
UV Affects Plants and Animals, Too. Overexposure to UV radiation affects the rate at which a plant carries out photosynthesis. This can affect the growth of the plant, which can ultimately lead to a decrease in biodiversity and a decline in the structure of ecosystems. Animals, especially those with little or no hair, are susceptible to sunburn – this is why pigs (and their hippo and warthog relatives) often coat their skin with mud, which acts like a sunscreen!
Stay Safe in the Sun: July is UV Safety Month. Summer is the perfect time to remind viewers about the dangers of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and how to protect themselves in the sun.
- Wear Sunscreen: Sunscreens with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 and above provide protection from both UVA and UVB by preventing ultra violet radiation from reaching your skin. Remember to apply frequently – even on cloudy days.
- Wear Sunglasses: To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses that have 100 percent UV protection. Don’t be fooled by how dark or how expensive the glasses are. Even some of the most expensive sunglasses don’t provide full UV protection. Check the label to be sure.
- Play in the Shade: UV radiation is the strongest during the day from about 10 am to 4 pm, as well as during the summer months. Seek shade during these times to protect yourself. If you must be outside, wear tightly woven clothing and a wide brimmed hat to reduce the amount of UV radiation coming into contact with your skin. Remember that pets need shade, too.
Check the UV Index (www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html) before you go out to know if you are at risk for overexposure to the sun. Index levels range from two to 11+, where level two is low risk and levels six and above are high risk.
(Sources: EPA SunWise Program. 2006. “The Sun, UV, and You: A Guide to SunWise Behavior.” http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/sunuvu.pdf; EPA SunWise Program. “What is the UV Index?” http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvwhat.html; Cornell Center for Materials Research, Cornell University. “Ask a Scientist: Can Animals Get a Sunburn?” http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/index.html?quid=336; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. “It’s All in the Watershed: A Collection of Stories from Your Ecological Home – UV Radiation.” http://www.serc.si.edu/education/resources/watershed/stories/UVradiation.jsp; The Skin Cancer Foundation. “Sun Smart Living.” www.skincancer.org)
