Staying Healthy in the Sun (Part II) (08&09-2003)
It is a really good investment to keep yourself protected from Ultra Violet rays. Exposure to the sun without protection results not only in premature aging, but also the possibility of skin cancer.
The UV Index has been established to keep the public aware of the level of UV radiation exposure on a given day. If you are aware of the UV level, all you need do is take simple sun protective measures and you will be reducing your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer and other sun-related illnesses. Keep in mind that if people who have especially skin and infants should always be protected from prolonged sun exposure.
0 to 2 indicates minimal danger from the sun's UV rays, for the average person. You may safely stay in the sun for up to 1 hour during the hours of peak sun strength, 10 AM to 4 PM, without burning. It’s important to remember that both snow and water can reflect the sun's rays. If you ski or swim, take special care by wearing sunglasses or goggles, and apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Pay special attention to areas under the chin and nose.
3 to 4 indicates a low UV Index and translates to low risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair-skinned people must be especially cautious because they can burn in less than 20 minutes. Protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Wear long sleeves and pants, outdoors.
How can you tell how much UV exposure you are getting? Just look for your shadow: If its taller than you are (early morning and late afternoon), your UV exposure is likely to be low. If your shadow is shorter than you are (midday), your exposure is high. You should get out of the sun, protect your skin and eyes.
5 to 6 indicates a moderate UV Index and means that you have a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. People with fair skins can burn in less than 15 minutes. Apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Wear long sleeves and pants, outdoors. Use a lip balm or lip cream containing a sun screen. Using lip balms can help protect some people from getting cold sores.
7 to 9 indicates a high UV Index reading and warms about a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair-skinned people can burn in less than 10 minutes. With this UV Index, you should be out in the sun as little as possible, especially during midday hours (10 AM to 4 PM). You should protect yourself by applying lots of sun screen with an SPF of at least 15 and, of course, protect your body by dressing properly (long sleeves and pants made of tightly woven fabrics). UV rays can easily pass through the holes and spaces of loosely knit fabrics. Look for the shade and keep in mind that water, sand, pavement, and grass reflect UV rays even if you are under a tree, near a building, or beneath a shady umbrella. Take special care outdoors between peak sun exposure hours (10 AM and 4 PM).
10+ indicates a very high UV Index and “warns” of very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair-skinned people might burn in less than 5 minutes. It’s best to minimize sun exposure from 10 AM to 4 PM. Apply sun screen liberally with an SPF of at least 15 liberally every 2 hours and avoid being in the sun as much as possible. The sunglasses you wear must block 99 to 100 percent of all UV rays (both UVA and UVB) in order to protect your eyes.
Wear a brimmed cap or hat. That will block about half of UV radiation from reaching your eyes, so wear sunglasses.
For more information about the UV Index, contact EPA's Stratospheric Protection Hotline at 800 296-1996 or visit the National Weather Services Climate Protection Center web site for daily updates.
The UV Index has been established to keep the public aware of the level of UV radiation exposure on a given day. If you are aware of the UV level, all you need do is take simple sun protective measures and you will be reducing your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer and other sun-related illnesses. Keep in mind that if people who have especially skin and infants should always be protected from prolonged sun exposure.
0 to 2 indicates minimal danger from the sun's UV rays, for the average person. You may safely stay in the sun for up to 1 hour during the hours of peak sun strength, 10 AM to 4 PM, without burning. It’s important to remember that both snow and water can reflect the sun's rays. If you ski or swim, take special care by wearing sunglasses or goggles, and apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Pay special attention to areas under the chin and nose.
3 to 4 indicates a low UV Index and translates to low risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair-skinned people must be especially cautious because they can burn in less than 20 minutes. Protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Wear long sleeves and pants, outdoors.
How can you tell how much UV exposure you are getting? Just look for your shadow: If its taller than you are (early morning and late afternoon), your UV exposure is likely to be low. If your shadow is shorter than you are (midday), your exposure is high. You should get out of the sun, protect your skin and eyes.
5 to 6 indicates a moderate UV Index and means that you have a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. People with fair skins can burn in less than 15 minutes. Apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 15. Wear long sleeves and pants, outdoors. Use a lip balm or lip cream containing a sun screen. Using lip balms can help protect some people from getting cold sores.
7 to 9 indicates a high UV Index reading and warms about a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair-skinned people can burn in less than 10 minutes. With this UV Index, you should be out in the sun as little as possible, especially during midday hours (10 AM to 4 PM). You should protect yourself by applying lots of sun screen with an SPF of at least 15 and, of course, protect your body by dressing properly (long sleeves and pants made of tightly woven fabrics). UV rays can easily pass through the holes and spaces of loosely knit fabrics. Look for the shade and keep in mind that water, sand, pavement, and grass reflect UV rays even if you are under a tree, near a building, or beneath a shady umbrella. Take special care outdoors between peak sun exposure hours (10 AM and 4 PM).
10+ indicates a very high UV Index and “warns” of very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair-skinned people might burn in less than 5 minutes. It’s best to minimize sun exposure from 10 AM to 4 PM. Apply sun screen liberally with an SPF of at least 15 liberally every 2 hours and avoid being in the sun as much as possible. The sunglasses you wear must block 99 to 100 percent of all UV rays (both UVA and UVB) in order to protect your eyes.
Wear a brimmed cap or hat. That will block about half of UV radiation from reaching your eyes, so wear sunglasses.
For more information about the UV Index, contact EPA's Stratospheric Protection Hotline at 800 296-1996 or visit the National Weather Services Climate Protection Center web site for daily updates.
