vvEPA
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
AIR AND RADIATION
6205J
EPA 430-F-95-003
JANUARY 1995
HEALTH EFFECTS OF
OVEREXPOSURE TO THE SUN
UVIN
N-
Americans love the sun, and spend increasing amounts of time outside — working, playing, exercising
— often in clothing that exposes a lot of skin to the sun. Most people are now aware that too much sun
has been linked to skin cancer, but few know the degree of risk posed by overexposure, and fewer are
aware that the risks go beyond skin cancer. Recent medical research has shown that overexposure to the
sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation can contribute to serious health problems.
This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the major problems linked to UV exposure: skin cancer
(melanoma and non-melanoma), other skin problems, cataracts, and immune system suppression.
Understanding these risks and taking a few sensible precautions (described in other UV Index fact sheets)
will help you to enjoy the sun while lowering your chances- of sun-related health problems later in life.
MELANOMA
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is also one of the fastest growing types of cancer
in the U.S. Many dermatologists believe that there may be a link between childhood sunburns and
malignamt melanoma later in life. Melanoma cases in this country have almost doubled in the past-two
decades, with at least 32,000 new cases of melanoma and 6,900 deaths estimated for 1994 alone. The
rise in melanoma cases and deaths in America is expected to continue.
CURE RATE
Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body quickly, but when detected in its earliest
stages it is almost always curable. If not caught early, melanoma is often fatal.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Melanoma begins as an uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells in the skin. This
growth leads to the formation of dark-pigmented malignant moles or tumors, called melanomas.
Melanomas may suddenly appear without warning, but may also develop from or near a mole.
For that reason it is important to know the location and appearance of moles on the body so
any change will be noticed. Melanomas are found most frequently on the upper-backs of men
and women, and the legs of women, but can occur anywhere on the body.
Be aware of any unusual skin condition, especially a change in the size or color of a mole
or other darkly or irregularly pigmented growth or spot; scaliness, oozing, bleeding or change
in the appearance of a bump or nodule; spread of pigment from the border into surrounding
skin; and change in sensation including itchiness, tenderness, or pain.
NON-MELANOMA SKIN CANCERS
Unlike melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers are rarely fatal. Nevertheless, they should not be taken
lightly. Untreated, they can spread, causing more serious health problems. An estimated 900,000 Americans
develof>ed non-melanoma skin cancers in 1994, while 1,200 died from the disease.
There are two primary types of non-melanoma skin cancers:
Basal Cell Carcinomas are tumors of the skin which usually appear as small, fleshy bumps
or nodules on the head and neck, but can occur on other skin areas as well. It is the most
common skin cancer found among fair-skinned people. Basal cell carcinoma does not grow
quickly, and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However, it can penetrate below the
skin to the bone and cause considerable local damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas are tumors which may appear as nodules or as red, scaly patches.
The second most common skin cancer found in fair-skinned people, squamous cell carcinoma
is rarely found in darker-skinned people. This cancer can develop into large masses, and
unlike basal cell carcinoma, it can spread to other parts of the body. '
-------
CURE RATE
These two non-melanoma skin cancers have high cure rates — as high as 95 percent if detect-
ed and treated early. The key is to watch for signs and to detect the cancer in its early stages.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Basal cell carcinoma tumors usually appear as slowly growing, raised, translucent, pearly
nodules which, if untreated, may crust, discharge pus, and sometimes bleed. Squamous cell
carcinomas usually are raised, red or pink scaly nodules or wart-like growths that form pus
in the center. They typically develop on the edge of the ears, the face, lips, mouth, hands
and other exposed areas of the body.
ACTINIC KERATOSES
These sun-induced skin growths occur on body areas exposed to the sun. The face, hands, fore-
arms and the "V" of the neck are especially susceptible to this type of blemish. They are pre-malignant,
but left untreated, actinic keratoses can become malignant. Look for raised, reddish, rough-textured
growths. See a dermatologist promptly if you notice these growths.
PHOTOAGING
Chronic exposure to the sun causes changes in the skin called actinic, or solar, degeneration.
The skin over time becomes thick, wrinkled, and leathery. This condition has often been referred to
as "premature aging" of the skin. Since it occurs gradually, often manifesting itself many years after
the majority of a person's exposure to the sun, photoaging is often regarded as an unavoidable
condition, a normal pan of growing older. With proper protection from UV radiation, however,
photoaging can be substantially avoided.
CATARACTS AND OTHER EYE DAMAGE
Cataracts are a form of eye damage, a loss of transparency in the lens which clouds, vision.
Left untreated, cataracts can rob people of vision. Research has shown that UV radiation increases
the likelihood of certain cataracts. Although curable with modem eye surgery, cataracts diminish
the eyesight of millions of Americans, and necessitate millions of dollars of eye surgery each year.
Other kinds of eye damage include: pterygium (tissue growth on the white of the eye that can
block vision), skin cancer around the eyes, and degeneration of the macula (the part of the retina
near the center, where visual perception is most acute). All of these problems could be lessened
with proper eye protection from UV radiation.
IMMUNE SUPPRESSION
Scientists have found that sunburn can alter the distribution and function of disease-fighting
white blood cells in humans for up to 24 hours after exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure to
UV radiation may cause more long-lasting damage to the body's immune system. Mild sunburns can
directly suppress the immune functions of human skin where the sunburn occurred, even in people
with dark skin.
ABOUT THE UV INDEX...
The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection
Agency, provides a forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun and indicates the degree
of caution you should take when working, playing, or exercising outdoors. The UV Index predicts
exposure levels on a 0 -10+ scale, where 0 indicates a low risk of overexposure, and 10+ means a
very high risk of overexposure. Calculated on a next-day basis for dozens of cities across the U.S. by
the National Weather Service, the UV Index takes into account clouds and other local conditions that
affect the amount of UV radiation reaching the ground in different parts of the country.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the UV Index and how to protect yourself from overexposure to the sun's
UV rays, call EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Hotline at (800) 296-1996. Hotline staff can supply you with
other fact sheets in this series, as well as other useful information.
-------
vvEPA
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
AIR AND RADIATION
6205J
EPA 430-F-95-002
JANUARY 1995
UV INDEX
ACTION
STEPS FOR
SUN PROTECTION
TOO MUCH SUNLIGHT CAN BE DANGEROUS....
Being outside on a warm, sunny day is one of life's great pleasures, but getting too much sun
can be dangerous. Excessive sun exposure an result in painful sunburn, but can also lead to other .
serious health problems, including melanoma, a life-threatening form of skin cancer. Melanoma is one
of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the U.S. New melanoma cases in the U.S. have more than
doubled over the past two decades, with an estimated 6,900 American deaths from the disease in 1994.
In addition to melanoma, excessive UV exposure can lead to premature aging of the skin, cataracts,
non-melanoma skin cancers, and immune system suppression.
BE SUN WISE
Protecting yourself from overexposure to UV radiation is simple:
WEAR SUNGLASSES THAT BLOCK 99-100% OF UV RADIATION .
Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce
sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. Check the label
when buying sunglasses.
WEAR A HAT
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 to the sun.
PROTECT OTHER AREAS OF YOUR BODY WITH CLOTHING DURING
PROLONGED PERIODS IN THE SUN
Tightly-woven, loose-fitting clothes are best, but any clothing is better than
none at all.
ALWAYS USE A SUNSCREEN WHEN OUTSIDE ON A SUNNY DAY
A sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 blocks most
harmful UV radiation. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours
when working, playing, or exercising outdoors. Even waterproof sunscreen
can come off when you towel off sweat or water.
AVOID THE MIDDAY SUN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
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.
AVOID SUNLAMPS AND TANNING PARLORS
Sunbeds damage the skin and unprotected eyes and are best avoided entirely.
-------
UV INDEX WATCH FOR THE UV INDEX
The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental
Protection Agency, provides a forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to
the sun and indicates the degree of caution you should take when working, play-
ing, or exercising outdoors, the UV Index predicts exposure levels on a 0 -10+
• scale, where 0 indicates a low risk of overexposure, and 10+ means a very high '
risk of overexposure. Calculated on a next-day basis for dozens of cities across
the U.S. by the National Weather Service, the UV Index takes into account clouds
and other local conditions that affect the amount of UV radiation reaching the
ground in different parts of the country.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the UV Index, call EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Hotline at (800) 296-19%.
Hotline staff can supply you with other fact sheets in this series, as well as other useful information.
' CATEGORY
------- |