Fortunately, if detected early, the cancers
listed above can be treated. DO NOT PANIC. Sunshine is also good for us! It
makes us cheery. UV radiation plays a role in the our body's
production of vitamin K. A lack of Vitamin K can lead to liver damage and
jaundice. Green leafy vegetables are one common source of vitamin K. So your
parents were right -"Eat your vegetables." Speaking of plants, UV
radiation is important in pollination of certain plants. Some insects, such
as honeybees, find reflected UV light by some plants alluring. Some spiders
take advantage of the alluring nature of reflected UV radiation to some
insects by including strands in their web that are UV reflective, and thus
also alluring.
Your risk of skin cancer is related to the amount of time you spend in the
sun and your skin type. The amount of UV radiation that you are exposed to
depends on:
How high the sun is in the sky. This is a
function of
Season
- Greatest exposure of UV light in the summer.
Latitude
- Strongest UV concentration in tropical locations near the equator.
Time
of Day - Most intense UV radiation occurs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Cloud Cover - Through absorption and reflection,
clouds reduce the amount of UV radiation at the surface.
Altitude: UV concentrations increase the
higher the altitude.
Surface: The surface can reflect solar energy
back toward you. Snow reflects up to 85%
of the incident UV rays, sand and concrete up to 12%, grass and water 5%.