United States Office of Air and Radiation
Environmental » Stratospheric Protection
Protection Agency Division
&EPA UV INDEX
June 1994
EPA430-F-94419
BULLETIN OF
SAMPLP PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGES TO ACCOMPANY UV INDEX
Composite Health Messages for Five Exposure Categories
Minimal. An Ultraviolet (UV) Index reading of 0 to 2 means
minimal danger from the sun's UV rays for the average person.
Host people can stay in the noon sun for up to one hour without
burning. Persons with extra sensitive skin or infants should
always be protected from prolonged sun exposure.
Low. An Index reading of 3 to 4 means you may be at low risk of
sunburn and other skin damage from the sun's rays. Fair-skinned
people may burn in less than 20 minutes. Wearing a hat with a
brim and sunglasses will protect your eyes. Use of a sunscreen
or protective clothing will enable you to stay in the sun longer.
Moderate. An Index reading of 5 to 6 means you may be at
moderate risk of sunburn and other skin damage due to the sun.
Pair-skinned people may burn in less than 15 minutes. A
sunscreen with a sunscreen protective factor (SPF) of at least 15
is recommended. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
High. An Index reading of 7 to 9 means you may be at high risk
of harm from unprotected exposure to the sun. Fair-skinned
people may burn in less than 10 minutes. Enjoy your daily
activities by liberally applying sunscreen of at least SPF 15,
'and by wearing a hat with a brim and sunglasses. Limit your time
in the midday sun.
very High. An Index reading of 10 and above means you are at
very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair-
skinned people may burn in less than 5 minutes. Try to avoid
being out in the sun during midday hours, from 10:30 to 3:30 PH.
Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen of at least SPF 15
liberally and often. Always wear a hat with brim and sunglasses.
Outdoor workers are especially at risk.
Note: It is appropriate in many cities across the country to
remind people that at nearby locations exposure to UV rays may be
much higher than the UV Index would indicate. Where there is
Recycled/Recyclable
Prtnttd wBh Soy/Canol« ink on paper that
ooMriitt at toast SOKraeyctaltter
-------
J
snow cover or water, reflected UV from water and snow may be
quite strong. Where the altitude is much higher, there is less
atmosphere to screen out UV rays and exposure will be higher.
Precautions such as sunscreen and sunglasses are particularly
important under these conditions.
Using Your Shadow to Estimate UV Intensity
If it is not heavily overcast, UV exposure changes during
the day. Providing a simple rule-of-thumb for the UV intensity
may encourage people to take more precautions when their exposure
is likely to be the greatest. (Some caution in using this shadow
rule-of-thumb is needed, because people can experience
significant UV exposure on a cloudy day, when they cannot see
their shadow.)
o One way to judge how much exposure to UV rays you are
getting is to look for your shadow. The longer your shadow
(in the early morning and late afternoon), the less exposure
to UV rays. The shorter your shadow (around noon), the more
you are being exposed. You should take precautions to
protect your skin and eyes.
OR
o If you can see your shadow, you are being exposed to UV
radiation. You should take precautions to protect your skin
and eyes.
Health Messages Addressing Specific Health Risks or Prevention
Actions
Sunscreen and other protective measures
o A sunblock usually reflects or scatters all UV rays. A snn
block is a good choice for outdoor workers, roofers,
builders, sailors, farmers etc. Sunblock is also a good
choice for protecting the nose and the rims of the ears.
(for Index 5 and above)
o Sunscreens contain active ingredients which absorb at least
85% of the UVB rays and may or may not absorb the UVA rays
of the sun. Read labels carefully and choose a broad
spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 which filters out both
UVA and UVB radiation, (for Index 3 and above)
o Application of sunscreen should be part of the daily
routine. The recommended dose is 1 ounce — or a quarter of
a 4 ounce bottle — per application.
o Use of a sunscreen with SPF of 20 to 30 offers substantial
protection from sunburning. (for Index 7 and above)
H
-------
o Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen which filters out UVA and
UVB. (for Index 3 and above)
o Apply sunscreens to all exposed areas of skin including
those easily overlooked areas such as the rims of the ears,
the back of the neck, and the feet, (for Index 3 and above)
o Use sunscreens of at least 15 which are specially formulated
to the protect the lips. Lipsticks or lip balm will protect
the tender skin of the lips and will not taste bitter.
Regular sunscreens are bitter to the taste, (for Index 3 and
above)
o Don't forget your feet and the backs of your legs. These are
the areas that are usually covered and so they are
particularly susceptible to the sun's burning rays, (for
Index 5 and above)
o All skin types need protection from solar ultraviolet rays.
Lighter skin types are at the greatest risk of developing
skin cancer; but all people are at some risk. Wrinkling,
toughening, and aging of the skin will happen faster to sun
bathers and others who spend time outdoors. Sun screens are
recommended for everyone, (for Index 7 and above)
o Apply sunscreen liberally. Recommended dose is 1 ounce per
application. Reapply every two hours, after being in the
water, or after exercising and sweating. Incidental time in
the sun could add up to a sunburn. Don't forget the time
spent walking your dog, window shopping, or jogging on your
lunch hour, (for Index 7 and above)
o Don't forget the sunscreen when performing outdoor chores.
(for Index 3 and above)
-4 *» W
Protective Clothing
o Hats with large brims offer protection to the face, ears,
neck and eyes. Hats may be easier than eyeglasses for tots
to wear, (for Index 3 and above)
o Tightly-woven fabrics afford the most protection against UV
rays. UV rays can pass through the holes and spaces of
loosely-knit fabrics, (for Index 7 and above)
Sun Avoidance
o Avoid the noon day sun. Typically the amount of exposure at
8 or 4 is only one-third of that at noon. Remember,
however, that you can still get a sunburn even in the
-------
midafternoon. (for Index 5 and above)
o Seeking shade is a good idea but don't forget that sand, and
pavement reflect UV rays even under the umbrella, (for Index
7 and above)
o Skiers remember that snow is a particularly good reflector
of UV rays. Wear UV protective sunglasses or goggles and
sunscreen, (for winter and early spring)
o Take a tip from the Victorians, use an umbrella as a
sunshade, (for Index 7 and above)
*
Bye Protection
o Wearing sunglasses can protect the eyes from 80 to 100% of
the UV rays. (for Index 3 and above)
o Wearing sunglasses protects the lids of our eyes as well as
the lens. (for Index 5 and above)
Immune Effects
o Use of a lip balm or lip cream containing a sunscreen
protects some people from recurrent lip eruptions of herpes
simplex type 1 and 2. (for Index 5 and above)
------- |