Some people really crave UVA light, because it is to him that we owe the popular with many tanning of the skin. But too much UV radiation can quickly bring negative consequence. In addition to premature aging of the skin, the development of skin cancer is particularly feared. Here you can learn about the risks posed by UV light and what you should be aware of when dealing with UV radiation.
Effects of increased UV radiation
Sensible sunbathing stimulates the formation of vitamin D in human skin. Responsible for vitamin D production is the UV component of solar radiation. However, too much UV radiation has a number of negative effects on humans. Possible long-term consequences of excessive UV radiation are:
- Premature aging of the skin
- The development of skin tumors
- Eye diseases
- A weakening of the immune system
Development of skin cancer
High-energy short-wave UVB radiation is blamed for the development of skin tumors, such as the very malignant “black skin cancer” (malignant melanoma). When it hits the skin, up to 50 percent of this radiation penetrates the living lower layers of the skin (ephithelial cells). There they act like ionizing radiation, which means they can damage skin cells. Sunburn is a typical manifestation of such damaged skin cells. If the genetic information of a skin cell – the DNA in the cell nucleus – is damaged, the skin cell normally dies, or the cell nucleus repairs the DNA itself. However, if skin cells with damaged genetic information multiply, this results in uncontrolled cell growth, or skin cancer.
Consequences for the eyes and immune system
Eye diseases are also caused by high-energy UVB radiation. Because the eye cannot form a protective layer of pigment when exposed to strong sunlight – as the skin does in the form of tanning – the lens of the eye can become clouded by formed pigments. UVB radiation can also weaken the immune system by interfering with the body’s production of T cells – T cells are responsible for immune defense.
Increased risk
Particularly affected by the risk of increased UV radiation are fair-skinned people in sunny countries, such as Australia. Occupational groups that are exposed to long periods of sunlight, such as gardeners and farmers, also run an increased health risk. The risk of disease depends on the total amount of UV radiation absorbed and the type of skin. Thus, 50 sunbaths per year, including solarium use, should not be exceeded.
Solariums – the artificial suns
Solariums like to advertise a healthy tan and risk-free beauty. But according to a January 1998 press release from the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, radiation from tanning beds is by no means more harmless than natural sunlight; it goes on to say that “long-term studies in Sweden, Belgium, Scotland and Canada have shown that the risk of cancer from tanning in tanning beds can be significantly increased.” In modern tanning beds, mainly the long-wave UVA radiation is used; the higher-energy UVB component is predominantly filtered out to prevent sunburns. The UVA light causes the menalin of the skin to be transported from the deeper skin layers to the upper skin surfaces. There it is converted into color pigments and then shows up as brown skin. However, a longer lasting skin tan can only be achieved by increasing the UVA component. The damage to the skin caused by the tanning process is then comparable to that caused by natural light with the same skin tan, according to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. Pre-tanning of the skin to accustom it to the summer sun is also popular. But because self-protection – in the form of thickened cornea – is built up only by the UVB component, tanning beds often do not improve the skin’s own protection.
Protect against UV radiation
Children, adolescents, and people with fair and sensitive skin are particularly affected by excessive UV radiation (sun or tanning bed exposure). People with a large number of moles and those with a genetic risk of skin cancer should also be cautious. The most effective sun protection is loose clothing, hat and sunglasses:
- The denser the fabric of clothing is processed, the better it protects against UV radiation. Cotton fabrics or polyester/cotton fabrics offer the best protection; however, pure polyester fabrics, viscose and linen fabrics are also suitable.
- Sunglasses should also protect against stray light from the side and lenses with CE mark provide adequate protection against UV radiation.
- Uncovered areas of the body are best rubbed with sunscreen half an hour before sunbathing.
7 health tips for dealing with UV radiation.
- Avoid sunburn during your sunbathing sessions.
- Slowly accustom your skin to sun exposure.
- Due to the strong ozone depletion in spring, the spring sun can be particularly intense.
- Especially in southern countries, avoid the intense midday sun between 12 and 15 o’clock.
- Wet skin softens and allows UV radiation to penetrate deeper, so dry yourself after bathing.
- Use a sunscreen with the right sun protection factor – matched to your personal skin type – and a protective effect against UVB rays.
- Cosmetics, deodorants and perfumes can cause skin spots or trigger allergic reactions, do not use them during sunbathing if possible.
Young children need to be particularly well protected. Children’s skin is still very sensitive and its protective function is not yet fully developed, it is still developing. Therefore, toddlers should not suffer sunburn as much as possible.
The ozone hole
In September 2006, the U.S. space agency NASA measured the largest ozone hole ever over the South Pole. Its extent was 27.3 million square kilometers, roughly twice the size of Europe. Currently, the hole in the ozone layer is closing slightly, and experts expect it to close completely by 2070. However, ozone depletion is subject to strong seasonal fluctuations. The strongest ozone losses take place in winter and spring. Mini-holes can also appear and disappear spontaneously over short periods of time. The continuing depletion of the ozone layer allows more high-energy UV radiation to reach the earth’s surface. However, an increase in this harmful invisible solar radiation increases the risk of serious skin and eye diseases in humans. Thus, an increase in skin cancers and eye diseases can already be observed today.
CFCs as a cause of ozone destruction.
The main cause of ozone destruction is the long-lived man-made chlorofluorocarbons, or more precisely the chlorine bound to them. These so-called CFCs used to be used as propellants for aerosol cans, as coolants for refrigerators and air conditioners, and as blowing agents for plastic foams. Once the CFCs have reached the ozone layer after years of traveling through the atmosphere, up to 10,000 ozone molecules can be destroyed there by one chlorine atom, in some cases through complex reaction chains. About 20 percent of ozone-depleting substances are released from natural sources such as volcanoes, algae and kelp. In the Montreal Protocol of 1989, a global phase-out of CFC production was agreed. This led to a drastic reduction in CFC production and use worldwide. Germany undertook to phase out CFC use from 1995, and since then production and use have only been permitted in exceptional cases. Currently, about 200 countries are committed to the agreement. Although the concentration of ozone-depleting substances in the lower layers of the atmosphere has declined in recent years, the destruction of the ozone layer will continue for years perhaps decades.
