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SunburnIs there more to sunburn risk at the beach than the fact that you're wearing a swim suit? Yes indeed. Sunburn is caused by the ultraviolet rays that make their way from the sun through the atmosphere to your skin. But the amount of UV exposure you get is determined by many environmental factors, not simply by how much and what type of clothing you're wearing. For example, a sandy beach can increase the intensity of the rays you're subject to by 25 percent -- snow can boost it 100 percent. Plus, if your beach of choice happens to be in Florida, instead of along Lake Michigan, you're again getting more rays. You'll get one-and-a-half times as much ultraviolet exposure in the southern portions of the United States as you will in the north. If you were to head all the way down to the equator, your exposure would be four times as great as it would be in, say, Alaska. Elevation makes a difference, too. Up in the mountains, there's less atmosphere to filter out those UV rays, so again, be aware. And finally, the UV rays are the most intense between the hours of
10 a.m. and 3 p.m. So let's be careful out there -- bring the sunscreen
and the sunglasses.
July 20, 2002 |
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