Posted on 07/27/2006 6:46:58 PM PDT by traumer
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."
According to recent reports on the benefits of vitamin D, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Do these asshats EVER shut up?
Seriously, though - I'm sure someone somewhere is thinking up a way to ban sunbathing or require more skin to be covered in public because "too many people irresponsibly expose themselves to the sun, and all we're trying to do is save lives."
How about reparations for decendents of people killed by the sun?
Real easy solution:
BAN THE SUN!!!!
:)
Bill
The Sun is the #1 terrorist!
New product soon to be on the market: Sunban lotion
That's nothing, how many does water kill???
How about wind?
Many people will die this year !!!
Well that's not bad.
Considering the Sun keeps 6,000,000,000 or so alive each year...
Looks like the Beatles were ahead of the curve on this one...
Here Comes The Sun
(George Harrison)
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Little darlin' it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darlin' it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Little darlin' the smiles returning to their faces
Little darlin' it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Little darlin' I feel the ice is slowly meltin'
Little darlin' it seems like years since it's been clear
Here come the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Here come the sun, here comes the sun
It's all right, it's all right...
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