Sun Safety

SUN SAFETYSUN SAFETY

Protecting Yourself from UV Radiation

Ultraviolet Radiation - UV

What is Ultraviolet Radiation?


The sun is the energy source that sustains all life on earth.

Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) is simply one form of energy coming from the sun.


Sunlight contains 3 types of UV rays…


1.1. UVAUVA—causes skin aging & wrinkles. Used in tanning beds. Colors skin and gives false sense of protection from the sun. UVA rays pass effortlessly through the ozone layer.


2.2. UVBUVB—causes sunburns, cataracts, immune system damage, skin cancer. Melanoma may be associated with severe UVB sunburns occurring before the age of 20. Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer.

Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma State University


3.3. UVCUVC—these rays are the most dangerous. Fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and don’t reach the earth.


Even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, UV rays travel through the clouds and reflect off sand, water, snow, and even concrete.

Clouds and pollution don’t filter out UV rays, and can give a false sense of protection.

This “invisible sun” can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.


The sun’s light is strongest when it is highest in the sky (normally from 10 AM to 4 PM).

UV rays are strongest during the summer.

UV intensity is greater at high altitudes. Skiers need to take extra care.


The UV Index* predicts the next day’s UV levels on a 0-10+ scale.

*Developed by the National Weather Service and the EPA.

UV Index Number

Exposure Level

Minutes to Burn

0 to 2 Minimal 60

3 to 4 Low 45

5 to 6 Moderate 30

7 to 9 High 15

10+ Very high 10

Effects of UV Exposure

Sunburn


Sunburn develops when the amount of UV exposure is greater than the protection your skin’s melanin can provide.

The lighter your skin, the less melanin it has to absorb UV and protect itself.

All skin, no matter the color, thickens and hardens with continued sun exposure, resulting in wrinkles later in life.


Eye Damage

Effects of UV Exposure - EYES Spending long hours in the sun with no eye

protection may increase your chance of developing cataracts.

– A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.

Even low amounts of sunlight can increase the risk of eye disorders.

UVB damage to the eyes is cumulative, so it is never too late to start protecting your eyes.


Skin Damage

Effects of UV Exposure - SKIN

There are about 1.3 million new cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year, resulting in about 9,800 deaths.

Melanoma is one type of skin cancer. It is the most common cancer among women between the ages of 25 and 29.


Skin cancer is the most common of cancers and is largely preventable.

Increased outdoor leisure time, less clothing worn outdoors, and decreased ozone levels are partly to blame.

Effects of UV Exposure- SKIN

Compare the underside of your arm to the topside of your arm to see the effect of sun exposure on your skin.

“Sun damage” causes wrinkles, easy bruising, brown “liver” spots, and potentially, skin cancer.


Scientists believe sunburns can alter the body’s immune system for up to 24 hours after exposure to the sun.

Repeated overexposure to UV radiation can cause more damage to the body’s immune system, even in people with dark skin.

20

What is Cancer?

Occurs when cells in a body part begin to grow out of control and crowd out normal cells.

21

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers Most skin cancers are:

• slow-growing

• easy to recognize

• relatively easy to treat when detected early

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, mostly from the sun but also from tanning beds.

22

The American Cancer Society Estimates

• More than one million new cases of basal and squamous cell cancers occur annually in the United States.

• The most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma.

• This year approximately 68,720 people will be diagnosed with melanoma and approximately 8,650 will die.

• Melanoma rates are more than 10 times higher in Caucasians than in African Americans.

23

Two Types of Skin Cancer

1. Non-Melanomas – (most common skin cancers)

– Include Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Cancers

– Can be fast or slow growing, but rarely spread

– Found on sun exposed parts of body like the head and neck

– This year approximately 2,940 people will die from non-melanoma skin cancer

24

Types of Skin Cancer

2. Melanomas

– Can occur anywhere on the body

– Less common, but more serious

– Almost always curable when detected early

– More likely to spread to other parts of body

– This year approximately 8,650 people will die from melanoma

What is a tan?

Tanning, like sunburn, is literally a form of skin injury. Ultraviolet radiation can damage your DNA at a cellular level, which can lead to cancer.Although people with light skin are more susceptible, darker skinned people can also be affected.

What about tanning beds?There is no evidence that tanning in a bed is any safer than tanning in the sun -- in fact, some tanning beds release much stronger UV light than the sun does.

There is a 75% increase in risk for melanoma among those who first use tanning beds in their teens and early twenties.

Guidelines for Protection

Eye Protection

Guidelines for Protection - SUNGLASSES

Sunglasses offer excellent protection.

Make sure the lenses are designed to block out 95% of UV.

Polarizing lenses and mirror finishes reduce glare, but have little effect in blocking the absorption of UV rays.

Guidelines for Protection- SUNSCREENSunscreen doesn’t offer 100% protection.

SPF 30+ sunscreen blocks 96% of UV; SPF 15+ blocks out 93%.

In addition to sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses, more clothing, and seek shade.

Limit your sun exposure during 10am-4pm

Guidelines for Protection- SUNSCREEN

Using SPF 30+ instead of SPF 15+ does not mean you can safely double your time in the sun.

Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside. Don’t rub it in—a light film should stay visible.


Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours if you are swimming or sweating a lot.

Fragrances and moisturizers in sunscreen may cause allergic reaction; experiment with other brands if this is a problem.


Protective Clothing

Guidelines for Protection – PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Choose clothes that cover your arms, legs and neck to ensure proper protection.

You won’t get too hot or uncomfortable in lightweight fabrics like cotton, hemp or linen.


Most cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics protect against 95% of UV, but are less effective if wet, faded, or aged.

Dark colors are better at absorbing UV than light colors.

If you choose to wear light colors, make sure the fabric is a tight weave, such as canvas.


Appropriately designed clothing with SPF built in, is great for protecting you from the sun.

Education

Sun Safety