UV Safety - July 13, 2010 Newsletter

UV Safety Awareness Month

EHE Newsletter, Volume 10, Number 28
July 13, 2010

Summertime is here! For many people, that means spending more time outdoors in the sun. While some exposure to sunlight can be beneficial and most of us can safely enjoy around 10 to 20 minutes a day in direct sunlight, too much exposure can be dangerous. It is important to remember that ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a profound effect on the skin and eyes; excess exposure can lead to premature aging of the skin, skin cancer, eye disorders and suppression of the immune system. UV radiation is found in sunlight, commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds. July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a time for individuals to remember that making UV protection a part of their daily routines can keep their skin and eyes healthy and add years to their lives.

What is UV Radiation?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the sun. It is an invisible, high–energy form of radiation that can cause or enhance health risks. Small amounts of UV radiation are beneficial and are essential in the production of vitamin D; overexposure, however, may result in acute and chronic health problems.

Both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization (WHO) have identified UV radiation as a proven human carcinogen. UV radiation is considered the main cause of non–melanoma skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Many experts believe that, particularly for fair–skinned individuals, UV radiation also frequently plays a key role in the development of melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — which kills more than 8,000 Americans each year.

Scientists have classified three different types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB rays make up only a minute portion of the sun’s wavelengths, but they are the main cause of the damaging effects of the sun on the skin. UVC rays are completely absorbed by the stratospheric ozone. They do not reach the earth’s surface and, therefore, do not affect the skin.

UVA Rays: UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation that reaches the earth’s surface. They are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year and can penetrate clouds and glass. Long–term UVA exposure can damage the skin’s connective tissues and blood vessels, leading to premature aging and wrinkles. UVA rays also weaken the skin’s immune system and increase the risk of cancer, especially melanoma. Tanning beds deliver high doses of UVA and are particularly dangerous.

UVB Rays: UVB rays affect the outer layers of the skin and cause sunburns, immune system damage and many basal cell and squamous cell cancers. Additionally, melanoma is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of twenty. The intensity of UVB rays varies by season, location and time of day. The most intense UVB rays occur in the U.S. between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from April to October. These rays, however, can burn and damage skin year–round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces. UVB rays do not penetrate glass to a significant degree.

UVA and UVB radiation can both damage the eyes, affecting surface tissues and internal structures such as the cornea and lens. Long–term exposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, skin cancer around the eyelids and other eye disorders. These conditions can result in blurred vision, irritation, redness, tearing, temporary vision loss and, in some cases, blindness.

UV Index

The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and Environmental Protection Agency, is a national service that forecasts the amount of ultraviolet radiation expected to reach the earth’s surface each day. Individuals can use the UV Index to take appropriate protective actions and avoid overexposure to UV radiation. The UV Index is reported as a number that ranges from 1 to 11 or higher. The UV index can be found by visiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website at: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html. The higher the UV index number, the greater the risk of overexposure to UV radiation.

A UV Index number of 2 or less forecasts a low exposure level.
A UV Index number between 3 and 5 forecasts a moderate exposure level.
A UV Index number between 6 and 7 forecasts a high exposure level.
A UV Index number between 8 and 10 forecasts a very high exposure level.
A UV Index number of 11 or above forecasts an extreme exposure level.

Protection from UV Radiation

The best way for individuals to protect their skin from the dangerous effects of UV radiation is to make certain safety measures are a part of their daily routines. By taking a few simple precautions, individuals can greatly reduce the risk of overexposure to UV radiation. Individuals should:

Limit exposure to mid–day sun: Since the sun’s UV rays are the strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., individuals should limit exposure to the sun during these hours to the extent possible.
Take note of the UV index: This important resource can help individuals plan outdoor activities in ways that will prevent overexposure to the sun’s rays. While precautions should always be taken against overexposure, extra diligence should be used when the UV Index predicts exposure levels of ‘moderate’ or above.
Seek shade: Individuals should seek shady areas when UV rays are the most intense. It is important to keep in mind, however, that shade structures such as trees, umbrellas and canopies do not offer complete sun protection. A simple way for an individual to tell if UV rays are strong is by looking at his or her shadow. UV rays are strongest when an individual casts a shadow on the ground that is shorter than he or she is.
Wear protective clothing: Loose–fitting long–sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly–woven fabric offer the best protection from UV rays. A hat with a wide brim all the way around offers protection for the eyes, ears, face and the back of the neck.
Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays offer the best eye protection and will greatly reduce eye damage from sun exposure.
Use sunscreen: Individuals should liberally apply a broad–spectrum, water–resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 15 thirty minutes before going outdoors. Sunscreen should then be re–applied every two hours or after working, swimming, playing or exercising outdoors. Adults need the equivalent of a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover the entire body. All skin that is exposed to the sun should be covered, including the ears, the back of the neck, the tops of the feet and, if balding, the top of the head. The sunscreen’s expiration date should be checked as it can be less effective after that date.
Carefully examine all skin once a month: A dermatologist should be consulted if an unusual mole, a scaly patch or a sore with local, persistent bleeding that does not heal is detected. Such symptoms could be pre–cancerous or a form of skin cancer. Early detection of melanoma saves lives.
Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds damage the skin and unprotected eyes and it is best to avoid them entirely. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, frequent tanning bed users proved three times more likely to develop melanoma than non–users, and subjects that used tanning beds for any amount of time showed a 74 percent higher rate of melanoma than non–users.

All individuals are potentially susceptible to sunburn and other detrimental effects of UV radiation exposure. While it is important that all individuals take precautions to protect their skin, individuals who need to be especially careful in the sun are those who have:

Pale skin
Blond, red or light brown hair
A personal history of skin cancer
A family history of skin cancer

Additionally, individuals on medication should ask their healthcare professionals if extra sun-care precautions are necessary as some medications increase sensitivity to the sun. Cosmetics that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) may also increase sun sensitivity and susceptibility to sunburn.

Take advantage of UV Safety Month by reacquainting yourself with safe ways to enjoy the sun. Protect yourself and your loved ones from excess exposure to UV radiation.