You are viewing the technical text

Protection against the Sun

There are a number of things that we can do to safeguard our health against the effects of increasing UV radiation from the Sun.

Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UV-A and UV-B protection will greatly reduce sunlight exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. Check the label when buying sunglasses.

A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection to your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck - areas particularly prone to overexposure.

Tightly woven, loose-fitting clothes offer excellent protection against UV radiation. Any clothing is better than none at all.

A sunscreen with protection factor of at least 15 blocks most harmful UV radiation. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every 2 hours when working, playing, or exercising outdoors. Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you dry yourself off with a towel.

The Sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To the extent you can, limit exposure to the Sun during these hours.

Sunlamps damage the skin and unprotected eyes and are best avoided entirely.

 

Ozone Depletion

Print Topic

Websites
Environment Canada
NoZone
Stormfax

Other topics
Introduction
Antarctica
Arctic
Causes
CFCs
Doing Our Bit
Evidence
Eye Disorders
Global Climate
Human Health
Immune System
Impacts
Land Plants
Legislation
Materials Damage
Measuring
Monitoring
Montreal Protocol
ODCs
Ozone
Ozone Hole
Ozone Layer
Polar Vortex
Protection
PSCs
Sea Life
Skin Cancer
Stratosphere
Sun
UV Radiation
Volcanoes

Home