Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is emitted from the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds. While it has some benefits for people, including the creation of vitamin D, it can also cause health risks. Depletion of the ozone layer decreases the natural protection of our atmosphere from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This webpage provides an overview of the main health problems related to overexposure to UV radiation.
Understanding these risks and taking appropriate precautions will help you enjoy the sun and, at the same time, reduce your chances of sun-related health issues. Every year, more new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States than all new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life, and an American dies of skin cancer every hour. Unprotected exposure to UV radiation is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Other UV-related skin disorders include actinic keratosis and premature skin aging. Actinic keratoses are skin growths that occur on areas of the body exposed to the sun.
The face, hands, forearms, and the “V” of the neck are especially susceptible to this type of injury. Although premalignant, actinic keratoses are a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma. Look for raised, reddish, and rough-textured growths and seek immediate medical attention if you discover them. Chronic exposure to the sun also causes premature aging, which over time can cause skin to become thick, wrinkled, and leathery. While it is often considered an inevitable part of aging, up to 90 percent of visible skin changes attributed to aging are actually caused by the sun.
With proper protection against UV radiation, most premature skin aging can be prevented. Cataracts are a form of eye damage in which the loss of transparency in the lens of the eye blurs vision. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Research has shown that UV radiation increases the chance of certain cataracts. Although they can be cured with modern eye surgery, cataracts diminish the sight of millions of Americans and cost billions of dollars in health care each year. Other types of eye damage include pterygium (growth of tissue that can block vision), skin cancer around the eyes, and degeneration of the macula (the part of the retina where visual perception is most acute).
All of these problems can be reduced with the right eye protection. Look for sunglasses, eyeglasses, or contact lenses that offer 99 to 100 percent UV protection. Scientists have discovered that overexposure to UV radiation can inhibit proper functioning of the body's immune system and reduce the skin's natural defenses. For example, UV radiation weakens the immune system and reduces its ability to protect against foreign invaders such as cancer and infections. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from both natural sunlight and tanning beds is classified as a human carcinogen by both the U.
S. Department of Health and Human Services and World Health Organization. UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays and directly damage DNA in skin cells; they are responsible for most sunburns and are thought to cause most skin cancers. Taking steps to protect yourself from UV radiation is a responsibility all year round; use shade, clothing or sunscreen (SPF 15+) whenever you're outside. Some windows protect against both UV light emission and RF energy emission while incorporating an implosion protector. A deuterium arc lamp (or simply a deuterium lamp) is a low-pressure gas-discharge light source used in spectroscopy when a continuous spectrum is needed in the UV region. UV light has many useful applications due to its ability to cause chemical reactions and excite fluorescence in materials; other artificial UV sources include solid-state light sources such as LEDs and lasers.
UV curing is a rapid curing process used for inks, adhesives and coatings. Full face protectors are necessary when working with UV light boxes for more than a few seconds; they are used in biotechnology for visualization after gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. Far UVC light effectively inactivated influenza viruses with approximately same efficiency as conventional germicidal UV.
