Be Sunwise: Action Steps for Sun Protection

v>EPA
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 can 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.
loatt

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                    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) 296-1996.
                   Hotline staff can supply you with other fact sheets in  this series, as well as other useful information.

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