WHAT IS THE UV INDEX? (AND WHY YOU SHOULD CHECK IT EVERY DAY)
Australians has the 2nd highest chance to develop melanoma in the world – just have been overtaken by NewZealanders lately . Women have 1 in 24, and men have a 1 in 14 risk before the age of 85.
The high UV index in Australia is one of the key factors for melanoma. A 10% decrease in the ozone layer will result in additional 300,000 non-melanoma and 4,500 melanoma skin cancer cases.
Do you know that:
– During summer, the Earth’s orbit brings Australia closer to the sun (as compared to Europe during its summer), resulting in an additional 7% UV intensity.
– When the Antarctic ozone hole breaks up each year, UVB radiation (the most cancer inducing UV) intensities increasing by more than 15% since the 1970s.
– Our clearer atmospheric conditions leads to extra UV exposure ( ~ 8-10% more UV than Europeans).
Checking the weather is a common habit to help decide when to take a jacket or bring the brolly. Many people, however, fail to check one critical daily indicator – the UV index.
Keeping an eye on this vital measure can help you avoid over exposure to the sun’s harmful UV radiation, the leading cause of skin cancer.
What is the UV Index?
The UV index is the measure of intensity of Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation emitted from the sun. The reported UV index ranges from 0 to over 11. It is important to be aware that UV radiation can be high even on cool or overcast days. So, observing the UV index to determine your relevant skin protection each day is vital to avoiding prolonged UV exposure and your overall long-term health.
What is a Safe UV level?
Generally, a UV Index below 2 means a low risk of harmful UV exposure. Anything above this level you should use regular sun protection measures. The UV intensity is at its strongest in the middle part of the day so keeping tabs on the UV index based on when you will be exposed to the sun is important.
Where Can I Check the UV Index?
The UV index is reported daily in all major newspapers and most radio and TV weather reports. There are also a variety of websites and apps that can give you a UV index in real-time allowing you to double-check the current UV levels before heading outdoors.
When Should I Wear Sunscreen?
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports the hours of each day when sun protection is advised based on the current UV levels of your location.
Check the UV index daily before going into the sun.