Sunlight is necessary for life on earth, but too much of it can be harmful. Sunburns aren’t just painful. A few severe sunburns in childhood can increase a person’s chances for developing skin cancer.

And that “healthy” tan? It’s actually a sign that your skin has been damaged by ultraviolet radiation.

Who is at risk?

People with light skin are at the highest risk for skin damage from the sun. People with darker skin have a lower risk, but everyone has some health risk as a result of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

What is ultraviolet (UV) radiation?

The sun produces many types of radiation. Some is the light we need for seeing. Some is infrared radiation, which is invisible but is felt as heat. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is also invisible, and over-exposure to UV radiation can cause serious health problems.

What health problems are caused by UV radiation?

• ♦ Skin cancers – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma
• ♦ Cataracts
• ♦ Immune system suppression
• ♦ Premature aging of the skin
• ♦ Actinic keratosis, a pre-cancerous condition

A history of severe, blistering sunburns is a major risk factor for both melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. Long-term exposure to UV radiation is a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma.

What affects the intensity of UV radiation?

• ♦ Time of Day – When the sun is highest in the sky (noon), the sun’s rays have the least distance to travel to reach earth.
• ♦ Time of Year – The sun’s angle varies with the seasons, and UV intensity is generally highest in the summer.
• ♦ Altitude – UV intensity increases with altitude because higher altitudes have less atmosphere to absorb rays.
• ♦ Latitude – The sun’s rays are strongest at the equator, where the sun is most directly overhead. In addition, ozone is naturally thinner in the tropics.
• ♦ Ozone – Ozone gas in the upper atmosphere protects life on earth by absorbing some of the sun’s UV rays.
• ♦ Weather – Cloud cover reduces UV levels, but not completely. It is still possible to get a sunburn on cloudy days.
• ♦ Reflection – Snow, sand and water all reflect the sun’s rays and will intensify UV exposure. Sand reflects 20 to 30 percent of UV radiation, snow and ice reflect 80 to 90 percent, and water can reflect up to 100 percent of UV rays.

What is the UV Index?

The UV Index is a daily forecast of expected UV radiation intensity at locations around the US. The UV Index uses a scale of 0 to 10+. The higher the number, the more quickly skin damage will occur. As the chart below shows, it would take an hour or more for a person to get skin damage when the UV index is 0 – 2. It would take less than 10 minutes for a person to get skin damage when the UV index is 10 or more.

For more information on UV radiation, and on the UV index, visit these Web sites:

• ♦ Environmental Protection Agency – UV Radiation information
• ♦ Environmental Protection Agency – UV Index information
• ♦ National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center – UV Index information
• ♦ National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center – Current UV Index Forecast

So what can you do to protect yourself from UV radiation?

	Seek Shade Whenever possible, avoid the midday sun, when UV rays are the strongest and do the most damage. Remember: trees, beach umbrellas, and tents are all good sources of shade. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief once it’s happened. If you can’t avoid the midday sun or find shade, try these other options.
	Rub It On Use sunscreen whenever you go outside – even on cloudy days, and even in the winter.Choose a sunscreen that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Don’t forget your lips – use a lip balm with SPF 15+. Sunscreen works best when applied generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every 2 hours, and more often after swimming or exercise. After all, many sunburns occur when outdoor activities last longer than expected.
	Get A Hat When outdoors, wear a hat. Since almost 80% of skin cancers occur on the head and neck, wearing a wide-brimmed hat is a great way to shade your face, ears, scalp, and neck from the sun’s rays. If you choose a baseball cap, make sure you use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15+ to protect exposed areas of skin.
	Cover Up When you’re enjoying your favorite outdoor activities, it’s important to shield your skin with extra clothing. A long-sleeved shirt, beach cover-up, and pants are all good choices for cover. Keep in mind that a typical T-shirt actually has a rating a lot lower than SPF 15. So if your clothes don’t completely shield your skin, add some sunscreen and seek shade whenever possible.
	Grab Shades It’s the best way to protect your eyes from the sun and to reduce your risk of developing cataracts.

More sun safety tips:

• ♦ Plan outdoor events before 10:00 am or after 4:00 pm. And remember, if your shadow is shorter than you are, it’s best to go inside or find shade.
• ♦ Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.
• ♦ Protect kids from overexposure to UV radiation by:
  • ♦ improving school policies relating to sun safety such as school uniforms, hats, scheduling of recess, and provision of shade on school grounds
  • ♦ planning playgrounds with trees and covered areas