People should protect them­selves against UV radiation

By April Son

AS SUMMER is now in My­anmar, daytime temper­atures are on the rise. Generally, vapour comes out from water ar­eas and wet soil, which absorbs rainwater during the rainy sea­son. Such vapour spreads in the atmosphere, supporting the heat of the season. As such, all living beings, especially humans, suffer the extreme heat of the season.

Types of UV

For the time being, the ultravi­olet radiation rate is also rising day by day. Everybody needs to know the nature of ultraviolet radiation. In this regard, Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of electromag­netic radiation emitted by the sun and is classified into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays can penetrate deeply into the skin and contribute to premature age­ing. UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and play a significant role in the development of skin cancer. UVC rays are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and do not reach the skin, so they pose no danger to the average person.

As an advantage of UV, a small amount of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is beneficial because it helps the body produce vitamin D, which strengthens bones (about 15 to 30 minutes in the early morning or late afternoon). UV rays can also kill germs. However, too much exposure to UV rays can cause health problems.

Dangerous impacts of UV

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can have the most harmful effects on the skin and eyes. UV rays can damage skin cells, causing red­ness, discolouration, wrinkles, dry­ness, and other skin conditions. In severe cases, they may even lead to skin cancer. Moreover, UV rays can also damage the eyes. They can cause inflammation of the cornea, eye infections, cloud­iness, blurred vision, and in seri­ous cases, eye cancer. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to premature skin age­ing, including rough skin texture, wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and the appearance of spots. It can also cause changes in the skin known as actinic keratoses, which are considered precancerous.

An important role of the UV index

Significantly, people need to consider the impacts of UV rays at different indices. If the UV index is between 0-2, everybody can move around freely outdoors without needing protection. When the UV index is 3 or above, it is consid­ered a health risk, so appropriate protection is necessary. In such conditions, it is important for all to be cautious. If individuals are going outdoors under the sun with­out fail, they need to dress in a way that protects their skin from direct sunlight. Especially during the hotter parts of the day, it is best to stay in shaded areas.

When the UV index rises be­tween 6 and 7.9, the level of UV radiation becomes high. In this situation, it is important to wear clothing that fully covers the body to protect from direct sunlight, use sunglasses, carry an umbrella or wear a hat, and apply sunscreen (Sun Protection Factor-SPF) in advance. It is highly recommended to avoid going out under the sun as much as possible. If the UV radia­tion index reaches 11 or above, it can be said that the UV radiation level is extremely high, showing very dangerous conditions. It is a condition where everyone needs to be especially cautious.

If necessary, individuals need to check the UV Index. It is be­cause this can help them plan outdoor activities accordingly. Higher UV index readings indicate a greater risk of overexposure. Furthermore, people need to no­tice that some medications and cosmetics can increase sensitivity to UV radiation. In this regard, individuals with lighter skin and hair are more susceptible to UV damage. As people reside in My­anmar, they can take advantage of Thanaka. Hence, they need to apply a thick layer of Thanaka or sunscreen with SPF 15+ to ex­posed areas such as the hands, neck, and shoulders for about 15 minutes before going out into the sun. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours after the initial application. And then, children are particularly vulnerable to UV damage and should be protected from the sun.

Protection against UV

Google mentions the key points on how to prevent UV rays. To prevent ultraviolet (UV) radia­tion exposure, individuals should seek shade, especially during peak sun hours from 10 am to 4 pm, wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, use sunglass­es with 100 per cent UV protection, and apply broad-spectrum sun­screen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Moreover, avoid indoor tanning and be mindful of UV reflection from surfaces like water, sand, and snow.

Concerning a more detailed breakdown of UV prevention strat­egies, people need to seek shade and wear protective clothing. It is because shade is one of the most effective ways to reduce UV exposure. Hence, people need to choose shaded areas like trees, umbrellas, or canopies, especially during the midday hours when the sun’s rays are strongest. In respect of exposed skin, people need to choose long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and skirts for maximum coverage of UV radiation, and they have to consider Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing. UPF indicates how much UV ra­diation a fabric blocks.

When choosing clothing to protect themselves from UV radia­tion, it is crucial to select garments that are darker in colour and have a tight weave, as these fabrics ab­sorb more UV rays compared to lighter colours and loosely woven materials. Essentially, denser fabric with darker hues provides better sun protection.

Awareness of UV reflection

Moreover, people need to be mindful of UV Reflection. Water, sand, and snow can increase ex­posure to UV rays, even when individuals are in the shade. Ul­traviolet (UV) rays from sunlight can penetrate through windows and reach the skin, so even if indi­viduals are not directly exposed to sunlight, whether they are staying at home or working in the office – they can still be affected by UV rays. That is why it is essential to apply sunscreen, even indoors. They have to know the advantages and disadvantages of sunscreen. Physical sunscreen contains min­eral-based ingredients to block UV rays while chemical sunscreens work like a sponge, absorbing the sun’s rays.

Young children and the el­derly are more vulnerable to the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) rays, so special care and caution are necessary. Nobody takes children under one year old out into direct sunlight. Adults or parents have to let children play only in shaded areas.

Support for the Ozone layer

The impacts of UV radiation can be lessened with the collabo­rative efforts of the entire popu­lation. It is necessary to support the strengthening of the Ozone layer, which is primarily located in the stratosphere, a region of the atmosphere that extends from about 10 to 50 kilometres (six to 30 miles) above the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation as a shield. Specifically, it absorbs UVB radiation. As oxygen emitted by trees can support the Ozone layer, environmental conservation activities can directly prevent UV radiation as well as protect the Mother Planet against UV and other harmful radiations, as part of saving the lives of the global peo­ple as much as possible. Hence, people should participate in the conservation of the environment, including growing trees, in all sea­sons to leave a healthier planet for new generations.