It's strong, it's hot, and it can be dangerous!!
Although sunlight is essential for the production
of the necessary nutrient, Vitamin D, too much
UV (ultraviolet) light from the sun can be hazardous
to your health. Over time, UV light can cause
two primary hazards: skin cancer due to unprotected
exposure and damage to the eyes in the forms
of cataracts and macular degeneration (a disorder
in which the central part of the retina is damaged
and often results in blindness). Those who work
outdoors are most at risk; however, during the
summer, it's likely that you will spend a good
deal of time in the sun on personal time too.
So you should be aware of the risks of exposure
to UV light and take precautions to protect
your health.
Doctors say that everyone is at risk of skin
cancer, regardless of their skin tone or color.
Some people, however, are at greater risk of
skin cancer than others. Those most at risk
have:
Fair skin
Blond or red hair
Blue, green, or gray eyes
More than 100 moles (or 50
by age 20)
Excessive sun exposure (especially
as a child or teenager)
A family history of skin
cancer
See a doctor if you find a mole or blemish
that:
Is asymmetrical, with one
half different from the other
Has an irregular border
Has different colors
Has a diameter larger than
a pencil eraser
Any of these signs might indicate skin cancer.
So don’t waste time in having any symptoms
checked out.
A few simple precautions can help prevent health
problems. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to help
prevent health problems resulting from overexposure
to UV light. Take the following precautions
this summer, especially if you work outdoors
every day:
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen
with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever you're
going to be out in the sun for any length
of time.
Wear a hat and sunglasses
that block 99 percent to 100 percent of UV
light.
If it's not too hot, wear
long sleeves and long pants to keep skin covered.
On weekends and vacations,
or when work doesn't require you to be out
in the sun, limit UV light exposure time during
the hottest part of the day (between 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m.).
Check the daily UV Index (reports
can be found in local newspapers, on television,
or on the Web at the U.S. National Weather
Service), and be especially careful when the
index is high.
