Are you
ready for summer? Did you know summer brings the longest days giving us more
time to spend outdoors having fun? From vacations, biking, and hiking, or just enjoying
ice cream, watermelons, or popsicles, summer brings memories of younger days
and family togetherness. As we look forward to making new memories, we can plan
for a safe summer by reducing the risk of harmful effects of UV exposure. July
has been designated as Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services; whose goal is to spread the word on the harmful
effects of UV rays on unprotected skin.
Ultraviolet light is
radiation emitted naturally from the sun, but can also be man-made, an example
being tanning beds. Classified in wavelengths, UVC light is blocked by the
Earth’s ozone layer, but the sun’s UVA & UVB affect the skin differently
with UVA causing wrinkling (premature aging) due to penetrating deeper into the
skin and UVB causing sunburns. Overexposure increases risk of developing skin
cancer. Cautions are placed on the times
of exposure due to UV radiation being strongest between 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A benefit of UV
radiation is Vitamin D production, which helps calcium and phosphorous to be
absorbed by the body and helps in bone development. According to the World
Health Organization, 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure 2 to 3 times a week is
recommended[1]. Prolonged UV exposure can cause premature
aging, cataracts, and skin cancer, not to mention painful sunburns. The most
dangerous UV radiation is artificial indoor tanning. “By taking precautions
before we head out the door for summer activities and all-year round, we can
reduce the risk of UV radiation by following some simple steps,” states Julie
Tijerina, Extension Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Tijerina offers the
following safety tips to protect the skin during exposure:
Stay in the shade: Look
for shaded areas under trees or bring an umbrella or pop-up shelter, especially
during peak hours. Know the EPA’s shadow rule: If your shadow is taller than
you are, UV exposure is lower. If your
shadow is shorter than you, UV exposure is higher[2]. Remember that surfaces, such as water,
snow, white sand, and cement, reflect the sun’s damaging rays and can increase
chances of sunburn. Cloudy days do not block the sun’s rays, which are just
filtered. In higher altitudes, UV exposure is higher due to less atmosphere to
absorb UV radiation.
Wear Protective
clothing: Thanks to clothing, the skin is partially shielded from UV rays. Choose
long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric. Be aware
that wet clothes offer less protection than dry ones and dark colors offer more
protection that light ones. To cover your face and neck, wear wide-brimmed hats[3].
Protect the eyes:
Not only do sunglasses help protect the eyes from UV rays, they also reduce
cataract risk later in life. Choose UV resistant sunglasses that wrap around
and block both UVA and UVB rays; polarized sunglasses just reduce glare[4].
Use Sunscreen: Sunscreen
works by absorbing, reflecting and scattering sunlight from our skin. The SPF
(Sun Protection Factor) number measures how well it blocks UV rays, with higher
numbers offering more protection. Do not
forget to check the expiration date, those without a date are good for three
years, and less if they have been exposed to high temperatures. An SPF of at
least 15, offers protection against both UVA and UVB (broad spectrum)
radiation. Purchasing the right SPF sunscreen depends on what exposure you will
be having fun in. Apply broad-spectrum
sunscreen twenty minutes before you head out. Reapply every two hours, after
swimming, toweling off, or sweating[5].
Avoid Indoor Tanning:
According to the CDC, the UV radiation from “indoor tanning significantly
increases the risk of developing melanoma, basal, and squamous cell
cancers.” It also causes premature aging
of the skin and suppresses the immune system[6].
Learn about the UV
Index: In as little as 15 minutes, the sun’s UV rays can cause damage to
unprotected skin. Plan to check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s UV
Index by visiting https://www.epa.gov/enviro/uv-index-search
to determine your favorite vacation spot’s UV radiation intensity. Rated on a
scale from 1-11, suggestions are offered on to help you plan for your
protection.
Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension offers programming to fit your community’s needs. Ask for
Sun Safety Fact sheets: Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Your Eyes and Children
and Sun Safety. For more information, visit your local health department, or
ask for more information on sun safety from your local County Extension office
at https://rains.agrilife.org/.
If you have
questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu.
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