UV Radiation

UV Radiation You should protect yourself from the sun all year long. All year long, use shade, a shirt, or sunblock (SPF 15+) to keep yourself and others safe from the sun. The sun and artificial sources, like tanning beds, give off ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is a type of non-ionizing radiation. It can be good for people in some ways, like making Vitamin D, but it can also be bad for their health. Where we get UV radiation from:      The sun Some man-made sources of UV radiation are: o Tanning beds Mercury vapor lighting (which is common in stadiums and school gyms) Some halogen, fluorescent, and incandescent lights Some kinds of lasers What kinds of UV radiation rays are there? There are three main types of UV radiation: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). The wavelength of these groups is what determines their size. Wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm = 0.000000001 meters or 1×10-9 meters). Wave Type UVA UVB Wavelength 315- 399 nm 280-314 nm Absorption Level Not absorbed by the ozone Mostly absorbed by the layer ozone layer, but some does reach the Earth’s surface UVC 100-279 nm Completely absorbed by the ozone layer and atmosphere The ozone layer on Earth absorbs almost all of the UVC and most of the UVB radiation. This means that most of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches Earth is UVA. Both UVA and UVB radiation can be bad for your health. UVA radiation is not as strong as UVB radiation, but it goes deeper into the skin and stays there longer. The ozone layer on Earth absorbs UVC radiation, so it is not as dangerous. Pros One good thing about UV radiation is that it helps the body make vitamin D, which is important for health. Vitamin D helps the body take in calcium and phosphorus from food and helps bones grow. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that people should get 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure two to three times a week. Hazards • Sunburn is a sign of too much sun exposure for a short time, while skin cancer and premature aging are effects of too much sun exposure for a long time. • Some oral and topical medicines, like antibiotics, birth control pills, and benzoyl peroxide products, as well as some cosmetics, may make all skin types more sensitive to UV. • If you don't wear eye protection, UV exposure raises the risk of eye diseases that could blind you. • Too much UV radiation can cause serious health problems, such as cancer. In the US, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer are the two most common kinds of skin cancer. They usually grow on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms because these parts of the body get the most UV rays. Exposure to UV radiation is the main cause of most cases of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer. Anyone can get skin cancer, but it happens more often to people who: • Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been burned by the sun. • Have light-colored hair, skin, and eyes. • Have a relative who has skin cancer. • Are older than 50. You can protect yourself from UV rays by using sunscreen and sunglasses. To protect yourself from UV rays, stay in the shade, especially in the middle of the day. • Put on clothes that cover your arms and legs. • Think about ways to keep your kids safe. • A hat with a wide brim will protect your face, head, ears, and neck from the sun. • Put on wraparound sunglasses that keep out both UVA and UVB rays. • Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. • Don't tan indoors. Indoor tanning is especially risky for younger people; those who start tanning indoors in their teens or early twenties are more likely to get melanoma.