UV RADIATION

By: Jeana Shin and Hanna Yi

WHAT IS UV RADIATION AND WHY

SHOULD WE CARE?
UV (ultraviolet) radiation is a form of energy emitted from
the Sun (mostly), tanning beds, and sunlamps and is part
of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum.
They are not visible with the naked eye due to its
wavelengths being shorter than visible light.
There are three main types of UV rays.

UVA rays age skin cells and can damage their DNA,
reaching beyond the top layer of the skin. They are
thought to play a part in long-term effects such as
wrinkles as well as some skin cancers.
UVB rays directly damage skin cells' DNA and are the
main cause of sunburns and most skin cancers.
UVC rays are very dangerous, but are absorbed by the
ozone layer and do not reach the ground.

Although small amounts of UVA rays and UVB rays are

essential for vitamin D production, overexposure can
result in negative health effects on the skin, eye, and
immune system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9BqrSAHbTc

HEALTH EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION

Sunburn

Skin Cancer

Sunburn is a sign of short-term

exposure.

Skin cancer is the most common

form of cancer in the United States.

Years of overexposure from the sun

can result in premature wrinkling,
age spots, and an increased risk of
skin cancer.

There are three main types of skin

cancer.

In addition to skin, your eyes can also

be sunburned. Sunburned eyes
become red, dry, painful, and can
feel gritty.

Long-term exposure of your eyes to

the sun can cause pterygium and
cataracts.

Symptoms usually appear about four

hours after exposure, worsen in 24-36
hours, and is gone in 3-5 days.

Basal cell carcinomas, the most

common skin cancer, grow slowly
and rarely spread to other parts of
the body.
Squamous cell carcinomas
commonly appear on sun-exposed
areas of the body and are more
likely to spread to other parts of the
body than basal cell carcinomas.
Melanoma, the third most common
skin cancer, is more dangerous and
causes the most deaths.

The most preventable cause of skin

cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
light.

Health Benefits

Exposure to UVB helps the skin

produce vitamin D3, which plays
an important role in bone and
muscle health.

However, the amount of UVB

exposure to obtain a benefit
depends on several factors such
as the amount of vitamin D in
your diet, skin color, sunscreen
use, location, and time of year.

UV radiation has been used to

successfully treat a number of
diseases, including rickets,
psoriasis, eczema and jaundice
under medical supervision to
ensure that the benefits outweigh
the risks.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Sun Protection Tips

Protective Clothing

A hat that covers your face and shoulders will provide the most protection; do not
wear a hat if you can see light shining through the fabric.
Dress to limit UV exposure by covering up; bright/dark-colored, lustrous clothes reflect
more UV radiation than do pastels and bleached cottons.
Wear clothes with a higher UPF (ultra-violet protection factor)

Sunglasses

Avoid overexposure from both natural and artificial sources.

Seek shade and remember that the suns UV rays are strongest between 10 AM and
4 PM.
Understand that a tan does not indicate good health. A tan is a response to injury,
because skin cells signal that they have been hurt by UV rays by producing more
pigment.
Be cautious near water, snow, and sand because they reflect UV rays and can
increase your chance of sunburn and damage to the skin and eyes.

Use sunglasses that are labeled with a UVA/UVB rating of 100% to provide the most
UV protection.

Sunscreen

The higher the SPF (sun protection factor) number, the more protection it provides
from sunburn and other damages to the skin; choosing sunscreen with an SPF
number of at least 15 is recommended.

QUIZ
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Name at least one type of UV radiation and its effect on the body.
Name at least two ways you can protect yourself from the dangers of UV radiation.
What are the potential benefits of sun exposure if taken in moderate amounts?
What does SPF stand for and what does its number determine?
What does UPF stand for and what does its number determine?
UV radiation can be seen with the naked eye. True or false?
Name at least one artificial source of UV radiation.
What are the three main types of skin cancer?
Long-term exposure of your eyes to the sun can cause a non-cancerous tissue growth that leads
to blindness called pterygium. What is another name for this disease?
10. When are the suns UV rays the strongest?
11. Exposure to UVB can help with the production of which vitamin?
12. What is the shadow rule?

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<http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116425.htm>.
"Understanding UVA and UVB." Skincancer.org. Skin Cancer Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb>.
"What Are Simple Action Steps for Sun Protection?" WHO. World Health Organization, 25 July 2008. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.who.int/features/qa/40/en/>.
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<http://www.cancernz.org.nz/reducing-your-cancer-risk/sunsmart/the-ultraviolet-index/>.