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ultra violet
ULTRA VIOLET RADIATION
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 to ultra-violet light can result in painful
sunburn, but can also lead to other serious health problems including skin cancer.
Those most susceptible to sunburns are people with light, fair skin. People
with darker skin may be able to tolerate more exposure, but even dark skin can
burn.
The UV Index, produced
by the National Weather Service, 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 for dozens of cities across
the U.S., the UV Index takes into account the season, clouds and other local
conditions that affect the amount of UV radiation reaching the ground in different
parts of the country.
The best protection against
ultraviolet radiation is to stay out of the sun. But no one wants to stay indoors
all the time. The best time to enjoy the sun, especially in tropical locations,
is before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. local time. Clouds do not screen out all
UV radiation. To screen out most UV radiation, the clouds have to be very low
and thick, which is not a problem for much of the winter in the Inland Northwest.
UV radiation is reflected
by sand, snow and water. Being in the shade under a beach umbrella does not
provide complete protection. Wearing a hat with a wide brim is a good idea to
protect the eyes, ears and neck. Most clothing, except white, reflects or absorbs
the radiation, but wet cotton, no matter what color, can let a large amount
through. A wet T-shirt provides little protection. Sunglasses that block UV
rays are vital to protect the eyes from the sun. Eye doctors can test eyewear
for ultraviolet protection.
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www.weather.gov 
