sun exposure

The year-round sun in Hawaii provides those fortunate enough to call the islands home an immeasurable quality of life benefit. Exposure to the sun has proven health advantages; however, during the past two decades it has become evident that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation is potentially lethal to humans. The 15th Airlift Wing safety office offers advice to protect military members from the sun.

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Sun Protection Tips Always Useful in Hawaii

Published July 16, 2009
By 15th Airlift Wing Safety Office

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- The year-round sun in Hawaii provides those fortunate enough to call the islands home an immeasurable quality of life benefit. Exposure to the sun has proven health advantages. The sun's rays kick start the chemical and metabolic chain reaction that produces vitamin D which is essential to good bone health and an enhanced immune system.

However, during the past two decades it has become evident that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation is potentially lethal to humans. When these sunrays hit the skin, some are scattered and some reflected but much is absorbed by chromosomes and cell proteins. This absorption causes damage to the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which in turn triggers a response that can lead to cancer, eye damage or blindness.

In May 2000, the National Institutes of Health added solar ultraviolet radiation and exposure to sun lamps and sun beds to the list of identified carcinogens in America. (Carcinogens are substances known to cause cancer). Two years later, the Institute included broad-spectrum ultraviolet radiation, and specifically stated that each component, UVA, UVB and UVC were reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.

The most common and acute response to exposure to ultraviolet radiation is sunburn. Sunburn is attributed to UVB and can occur in less than 20 minutes in the summer. Tanning, which is also considered evidence of skin damage, is a delayed reaction. Tanning salons, in an effort to avoid burning, began using mainly UVA lamps in sun beds. Unfortunately, this use of UVA may cause even more serious long-term damage as UVA penetrates the layers of skin more deeply than UVB.

Skin cancer is being diagnosed in epidemic numbers. Melanoma may be diagnosed more often than lung cancer within certain segments of the population. The cost to the American medical system will likely reach the tens of billions of dollars in the near future. Research indicates that children and teenagers are at higher risk than adults to suffer permanent damage from overexposure to the sun. A large Scandinavian study of melanoma risk published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2003 found that adolescence is the most dangerous time to get a sunburn. Understanding the problem, understanding how you are at risk and understanding what protection methods are available will help you and your family enjoy the sun safely and also slow the epidemic of skin cancer.

Follow these steps to help prevent overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays:
1. Limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Play golf, lay in the sun, swim, etc., in the early morning or late afternoon.
2. Beware of cloudy days. Clouds and particulate matter in the air scatter sunlight. You can still burn even on a cloudy day.
3. Wear a good pair of sun glasses and some kind of protection -- the looser the better -- on your head.
4. If you are among those likely to burn, use a sun block with a PF of 30 or greater.
5. Apply sun block at least 15 to 30 minutes before venturing out into the sun and re-apply at least every two hours especially if you have been swimming or perspiring.
6. Use sun blocks with higher PFs on areas that need extra protection like the tip of your nose, your ears, the tops of your feet, and your shoulders.
7. Do not use sun block on your lips. Instead, use only sun protection products designed specifically for lips.
8. Protect children from excessive sun exposure when the sun is strongest and apply sunscreen liberally and frequently to children 6 months of age and older. Do not use sunscreen on children under 6 months of age. Parents with children under 6 months of age should limit their children's sun exposure.
9. Sand and water reflect UV radiation, which means being in the shade under a beach umbrella does not provide complete protection.
10. Check with your doctor to make sure any medications you take do not make you more susceptible to sunburn.