Protection Against Sun Exposure — There Is An App For That
Sunday, August 1st, 2010August 1, 2010
Protection Against Sun Exposure — There Is An App For That.
written by Steven Barrymore
For years it has been known that over exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are harmful.
Too many rays can cause eye damage and skin cancer, any time of the year, no matter what color skin you have. Skin cancer outpaced other forms of cancers, breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer in 2009. As we age, 70 million more aged Americans expected by the year 2030, our body organs are more susceptible to environmental hazards because of their diminished functions. All those older people walking around wearing wide-brimmed hats are doing themselves a good service. Protection from skin-damaging UV radiation.
The EPA is offering a smartphone app that gives mobile access to the daily UV index. The UV numeric index ranges from 0 to 11+ (index numbers in higher amounts correlate to skin-damaging UV radiation). The EPA app is available for Mobile Web online, in addition to Blackberry and Android phones. Go to the UV Index App page to install the app on your smartphone. Now you can carry protection in your pocket, and it does not come in a sealed wrapper.
Protecting the skin from excessive UV rays is not just for adults. Get the children started early. The EPA is offering the SunWise Program for Kids, Schools and Communities. Now kids can learn about protecting themselves from overexposure to the sun’s rays. The SunWise School Program is available to elementary or middle schools. Encouraging schools to develop sun-safe behaviors in schoolchildren and provide a sun-safe school environment.
Some simple things can be done now to help protect your skin, and your future health.
- Do not burn — overexposure is preventable.
- Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. find a shady space to be. A cool drink would also help with your re-hydration.
- Use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats, sun blocking sunglasses and protective clothing.
- Avoid overuse of tanning beds.
- Check the UV index on the mobile app you just installed.
And for the aged folks check out the Aging Initiative Website for information on growing older in this environment.
Link: EPA
