Sun kills 60,000 a year, says WHO
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Sun kills 60,000 a year, says WHO*
Sun damage can lead to deadly skin cancer
[BBC] As many as 60,000 people a year die from too much sun, warns the
World Health Organization.
The bulk of the deaths are from skin cancers caused by excess exposure
to the sun's harmful rays, ultraviolet radiation, says WHO.
UVR also causes sunburn, triggers cold sores and ages the skin,
according to its report, the first to outline the global health burden
of sun exposure.
Simple measures, such as covering up when in the sun, could cut the deaths.
Death toll
Dr Maria Neira, Director for Public Health and the Environment at WHO,
said: "We all need some sun, but too much sun can be dangerous - and
even deadly.
"Fortunately, diseases from UV such as malignant melanomas, other skin
cancers and cataracts are almost entirely preventable through simple
protective measures."
WAYS TO AVOID TOO MUCH SUN
Limit time in the midday sun
Wear protective clothing including hats and sunglasses
Use sunscreen of sun protection factor 15+
Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlours
Source: World Health Organization
Of the 60,000 deaths, 48,000 are caused by malignant melanomas and
12,000 by other skin cancers, the report Global Burden of Disease of
Solar Ultraviolet Radiation estimates.
More than 1.5 million "disability-adjusted life years" or DALYS - a
measure of the loss of full functioning due to disease and death - are
lost every year due to sun exposure, WHO believes.
WHO and the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations are urging
people to be extra-vigilant when out in the sun to protect themselves
from UVR
Everyone is exposed to UVR from the sun. Small amounts are beneficial to
health, and play an essential role in the production of vitamin D by the
skin. However, overexposure to UVR is associated with a variety of
serious and deadly health problems.
Harmful rays
UVR levels vary with the time of day and year. Levels are highest when
the sun is higher in the sky, typically between 10am and 2pm.
Latitude and altitude also alter exposure. The closer to equatorial
regions and the higher the altitude, the higher the UVR exposure.
Similarly, the ground you walk on can be important. Grass, soil and
water reflect less than 10% of UVR, fresh snow reflects as much as 80%,
dry beach sand about 15% and sea foam about 25%.
UVR can neither be seen nor felt, therefore, UVR measurements, such as
the global solar UV index, are necessary to determine precisely the
extent of ground level UVR. These add up all the solar UVR, taking
account of its ability to cause skin damage.
The higher the UV index, the higher the risk of skin and eye damage.
When the UV Index predicts radiation levels of 3 (moderate) or above,
sun safety practices should be taken, WHO recommends.
Laura-Jane Armstrong, cancer information officer at Cancer Research UK,
said: "This report provides clear evidence of the dangers of
over-exposure to the sun, highlighting the number of global deaths from
skin cancer and other risks the sun can pose to our health.
"Our key message is not to burn. To help protect yourself in the sun you
should spend time in the shade during the middle of the day, cover up
with a shirt and hat, and use factor 15+ sunscreen."