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Simple
Precautions in the Sun:
Courtesy of INTERSUN, WHO's Global UV Project
and approved by the Department of Dermatology,
Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, Malta.
(a) The UV index is a
measure of the harmful Ultraviolet sunlight. It is
not a measure of the "visible" sunlight or
for the warmth of the Sun.
(b) The values given in our
forecast are the highest UV index, that is the value
around 1 p.m.
(c) The UV index values are
valid for clear sky and broken cloud
conditions.
UV levels are highest under
cloudless skies, and cloud cover generally reduces a
person's exposure. However, light or thin clouds
have little effect and may even enhance UV levels
because of scattering. Don't be fooled by an
overcast day or a cool breeze! Even a long stay in
open shade, for example between buildings, may give
a sensitive person a sunburn on a day with high UV
levels.
(d) Be careful not to
underestimate the amount of UV radiation passing
through clouds
Simple precautions
in the sun
The rise in the incidence
of skin cancers over the past decades is strongly
related to increasingly popular outdoor activities
and recreational exposure. Overexposure to sunlight
is widely accepted as the underlying cause for
harmful effects on the skin, eye and immune system.
Experts believe that four out of five cases of skin
cancer could be prevented, as UV damage is mostly
avoidable.
Adopting the following
simple precautions, can make all the difference.
Shade, clothing and hats provide the best protection
? applying sunscreen becomes necessary on those
parts of the body that remain exposed like the face
and hands. Sunscreen should never be used to prolong
the duration of sun exposure
Limit time in the
midday sun
The sun's UV rays are the strongest between 11 a.m.
and 3 p.m. To the extent possible, limit exposure to
the sun during these hours. PROTECT BABIES AND YOUNG
CHILDREN: THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT
Watch for the UV
index
This important resource helps you plan your outdoor
activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the
sun's rays.
While you should always take precautions against
overexposure, take special care to adopt sun safety
practices when the UV Index predicts exposure levels
of 3 or above.
The UV Index can:
· Save your life
· Protect good health
· Help preserve youthful complexion
Use shade wisely
Seek shade when UV rays are the most intense, but
keep in mind that shade structures such as trees,
umbrellas or canopies do not offer complete sun
protection.
Wear protective
clothing
A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection
for your eyes, ears, face, and the back or your
neck.
Sunglasses that provide 99 to 100 percent UV-A and
UV-B protection will greatly reduce eye damage from
sun exposure.
Tightly woven, loose fitting clothes will provide
additional protection
from the sun.
Use sunscreen
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 20+
liberally and re-apply every two hours, or after
working, swimming, playing or exercising outdoors.
Small amounts of UV are
beneficial for people and essential in the
production of vitamin D.
UV radiation is also used to treat several diseases,
including rickets, psoriasis, eczema and jaundice.
This takes place under medical supervision and the
benefits of treatment tend to outweigh the risks of
UV radiation exposure.
Overexposure to solar
radiation may result in acute and chronic health
effects on the skin, eye and immune system.
Children are in a dynamic
state of growth, and are therefore more
susceptible to environmental threats than adults.
Many vital functions such as the immune system are
not fully developed at birth, and unsafe
environments may interfere with their normal
development.
Many believe that only
fair-skinned people need to be concerned about
overexposure to the sun.
Darker skin has more
protective melanin pigment, and the incidence of
skin cancer is lower in dark-skinned people.
Nevertheless skin cancers do occur with this group
and unfortunately they are often detected at a
later, more dangerous stage.
The risk of UV-related
health effects on the eye and immune system is
independent of skin type.
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