...PREVENT EYE DAMAGE Protect Yourself from UV Radiation M ost Americans understand the link between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and skin cancer. Many are less aware of the connection between UV radiation and eye damage. With increased levels of UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, largely due to stratospheric ozone layer depletion, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect your eyes. Potential Effects of UV Radiation on Eyes UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial UV rays, can damage the eye, affecting surface tissues and internal structures, such as the cornea and lens. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelids, and other eye disorders. In the short term, excessive exposure to UV radiation from daily activities, including reflections off of snow, pavement, and other surfaces, can burn the front surface of the eye, similar to a sunburn on the skin. The cumulative effects of spending long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection can increase the likelihood of developing the following eye disorders: ® Cataract: A clouding of the eye’s lens that can blur vision. ® Snow Blindness (Photokeratitis): A temporary but painful burn to the cornea caused by a day at the beach without sunglasses; reflections off of snow, water, or concrete; or exposure to artificial light sources such as tanning beds. ® Pterygium: An abnormal, but usually non-cancerous, growth in the corner of the eye...
Words: 867 - Pages: 4
...Evolution Of Skin Colour | Adv Bio 11 | Maggie Gagnon Courtney Sibley | What are the causes of skin cancer? Some causes of skin cancer are over explosion to UV light, moles, as well it can be passed on hereditarily. Why are Caucasians more at risk of skin cancer than other populations? Caucasians have the lowest amount of melanin in their skin cells when being compared to other cultures. Melanin is crucial to protecting our skin from UV rays, and so someone with a darker skin tone is better protected. At what age does skin cancer typically occur? Is the incidence of skin cancer greater in youth or old age? Generally skin cancer is more predominant to youth aged 20-30. Does the amount of UV light reaching the Earth vary in a predictable manner? If so, describe the pattern you observe. By looking at the map, you can tell that areas where the earth is closer to the sun had a higher UV index, where as the places that are farther away (ie Antarctica) have a lower UV index. What latitude receives the greatest amount of UV light? The least? The highest amount of UV could be found across the equator (0 longitude) the least could be found from 60-90 and -70-(-90) longitude. Based on these data, where might you expect to find the most lightly pigmented and most darkly pigmented people on the planet? Be as specific as you can. The more naturally light people would be found in the far north or far south, the more naturally dark people would be found...
Words: 2450 - Pages: 10
...the most common type. With a first degree burn, a child's skin will be red and painful, but there will be no blisters. More severe or deep sunburns can lead to second degree burns, with the formation of blisters on the skin, and more rarely, third degree burns. Excessive exposure to sun is bad because of ultraviolet radiation, 90 percent of which comes in the form of Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays that are not absorbed by the ozone layer and penetrate deep into our skin. Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays make up the rest. UVB rays are partially absorbed by the ozone layer, which makes preserving the ozone layer crucial for our health. And because UVB rays don’t penetrate our skin as deeply, they can cause those lobster-red sunburns. Both types of UV rays are thought to cause skin cancer. Some of the possible mechanisms for UV skin damage are collagen breakdown, the formation of free radicals, interfering with DNA repair, and inhibiting the immune system. To prevent this, the most important skin-care product available is sunscreen. Sunscreen is any substance or material that protects the skin from UV radiation. Sunscreen combines organic and inorganic chemicals to filter the light from the sun so that less of it reaches the deeper layers of your skin. Sunscreens are available in the forms of topical lotion, cream, ointment, gel, or spray that can be applied to the skin....
Words: 1964 - Pages: 8
...Running Head: OZONE DEPLETION Taylor Graham Ozone Depletion The Ozone Layer The ozone layer prevents most harmful solar ultraviolet light, (UV) from passing through the earth’s atmosphere by absorbing 93-99% of these UV rays. UV rays are potentially damaging to life on earth. The ozone layer is comprised of high concentrations of ozone, (03) and mainly located in the lower portion of the stratosphere (rabbitair.com). The atmosphere of the Earth is divided into 5 layers. From closest and thickest to farthest and thinnest the layers are: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The majority of the atmosphere’s ozone resides in the stratosphere, which extends from 6 miles above the Earth’s surface to 31 miles (Sivasakthivel, 2011). The density of the ozone varies according to the season and also the location. The ozone layer has historically protected the Earth from the harmful UV rays, however in recent decades this protection has diminished due to stratospheric ozone depletion. History of Ozone Depletion Ozone depletion is largely a result of man-made substances. Humans have introduced gases and chemicals into the atmosphere that have rapidly depleted the ozone layer in the last century. The possibility of ozone depletion was first introduced by scientists in the late 1960's as dreams of supersonic transport began to become a reality. Scientists had long been aware that nitric oxide (NO) can catalytically react with ozone (O3) to produce...
Words: 2388 - Pages: 10
...States. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun’s rays and artificial sun lamps. Most cases of skin cancer could have been easily prevented if the proper precautions were taken, including limiting exposure to sunlight and radiation. The purpose of this report is to prove that using tanning beds has been linked to...
Words: 1806 - Pages: 8
...harmful to planet earth and humans! First, CFC’s destroy the ozone layer and UV and infrared rays will kill humans. Second, air pollution will heat up and all the icebergs are going to melt and cities are going to flood. Finally, a lot of humans and animals are going to die. CFC’s is a kind of gas that comes from deodorant, A.C., fridges, microwaves… When the CFC gases enter the atmosphere, they destroy the ozone layer. And because of that UV and Infrared rays can enter the earth and harm human beings. When a ray touches the human skin the human may get skin cancer or any other disease to the skin. So, we have to stop using microwaves, A.C., fridges and deodorant. Another example of global warming is air pollution. When cars and factories and machines pollute the air, the planet will get warmer because of the gases. When the earth will get warm the icebergs from the poles are going to melt this will affect the golf stream. When the ice will melt all the cities and towns near the sea will flood. And a lot of people are going to die because of the water. And finally a lot of the animals and the humans will die. The animals like the polar bear will disappear because when the icebergs melt he will not be able to hunt for seals. And because of that the seals will overpopulate, they will eat all the fish and the food chain will be destroyed. As for the humans we will die because of the UV and Infrared rays from the sun which causes skin cancer, asthma and because of the floods. All...
Words: 372 - Pages: 2
...long run it affects your skin in ways you couldn’t imagine. I. Tanning causes various skin diseases. A. Causes cancerous and non-cancerous diseases 1. Basal cell carcinoma (brief explanation) 2. Squamous cell carcinoma (brief explanation) 3. Telangiectasia - the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin 4. Melanoma (brief explanation) Surgeon and cancer researcher Adam Riker published a paper with his colleagues on the growing dangers from skin cancers like melanoma, which are becoming more common. He said, "Melanoma is the sixth most common fatal malignancy in the United States, responsible for 4% of all cancer deaths and 6 of every 7 skin cancer-related deaths." They estimate that 1 in 5 Americans will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetimes, which means that each year there are at least 1 million new cases in the U.S. alone. B. Causes premature aging 1. Elastosis - the destruction of the elastic tissue causing lines and wrinkles. 2. Dark spots 3. Mottled Pigmentation 4. Freckles Premature aging is a long-term side effect of UV exposure, meaning it may not show on your skin until many years after you have had a sunburn or suntan. Besides damaging the skin, over exposure to the sun also affects a person’s hair, making it course and brittle. II. Prevention is better than cure A. Use sunblock that has an SPF of 15 or above. (explain) B. Use a ‘broad spectrum sunblock’ that protects you against UVA AND UVB rays. C. Check the UV index before...
Words: 362 - Pages: 2
...be taken to prevent skin cancer. Skin cancer is a problem today because it affects people’s daily lifestyle and in some cases is deadly. Skin cancer may be the most common malignancy in humans, but according to Dr. Mark Lebwhol, professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine, it is also one of the most preventable cancers (“Skin Cancer Prevention”). Because skin cancer continues to rise at an alarming rate, all Americans need to be more informed of how to prevent it. It is important for all people to know the many risk factors of skin cancer. Risk Factors...
Words: 1635 - Pages: 7
...The yeast is essentially our skin and the growth of the yeast shows that the SPF of the product tested was effective. If the yeast growth was muted, then the SPF of the product did not protect our skin. Background information: Based on the information regarding depth of penetration of sun rays, we formed a lab that allowed us to test the depth of penetration while also finding the most effective SPF based product. We were testing for deep penetrating ray prevention by sunblock and surface penetration rays by sunblock. The strain of bacteria we used was a light sensitive one that would die upon contact with the sun, therefore if there were bacteria still growing under the SPF shield then it essentially worked. Hypothesis: My prediction for this experiment was that the Coppertone sun-block with an SPF of 30 would allow the largest yield of yeast to grow underneath the spray. I also predict that the tinted moisturizer with an SPF of 20 will have the least effect on yeast growth when tested; therefore the tinted moisturizer will not produce any yield from the light sensitive yeast. I also predict that the short UV rays will cause the most damage when compared to the longer UV rays. Materials: We were given four various ranges of SPF based products; Coppertone sport spray with an SPF of 30, an expired bottle of Coppertone sport spray with an SPF of 50, a foundation primer produced by Mary Kay with an SPF of 15, and a tinted moisturizer also produced by Mary Kay with an...
Words: 1693 - Pages: 7
...Non Destructive Test (NDT) X-Ray Advantages of X-Ray X-rays are invisible electromagnetic energy, which is used as a way to get or make images of internal tissues, bones and organs of our body. It is by this process that an expert determines bones of a patient are intact or broken after an accident. Likewise, you can find internal injuries to organs. In addition, X-rays are used to find out whether or not a person has a cancerous tumour. With the increasing technological advances, the dose of the radiation exposure to patients has decreased (www.chem.ucla.edu). X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation which can pass through materials. The X-ray technology is an invaluable tool for medicine, industry, science and security. For example, it can be used to observe the fractured bones and swallowed objects, to monitor the blood flow of patients and to check for cavities. In addition, X-rays can be used to diagnose cancer, kill bacteria in food, detect flaws in machinery or products, analyze the structure of crystals or distant stars and inspect baggage at airports (www.chem.ucla.edu). Now there were more modern medical devices, which process image digitally. This technique automatically selects the parameters of the human organs to be examined (www.chem.ucla.edu). Disadvantages of X-Ray The discovery and immediate use of X-rays and radioactive elements, in the late 19th century and early 20th century brought benefits to science and medicine, but also...
Words: 1356 - Pages: 6
...coast of North America and across the North Atlantic ocean, towards Europe. It is called the Gulf Stream. (National Snow and Ice Data Center, 2015). If there was an Arctic Ozone Hole similar in size of the Antarctic Ozone Hole, could expose more than 700 million people, wildlife and plants to the dangerous UV rays.This has a very high and likely chance of happening because of the depletion of the ozone layer caused by global warming on the northern atmosphere (Dangerous Ozone Depletion and UV Levels Increasing, 2012, July 13). The conditions in The Northern Hemisphere are becoming similar to those of the Antarctic. This could result in the formation of an Arctic Ozone Hole. Because the Northern Hemisphere is a denser populated area, more people and animals could be exposed to the ultraviolet rays being emitted from the Sun, which can cause skin cancer and affect reproduction of some animals and destroy plant life (Welch, C. (n.d.). The Ozone Hole Arctic Ozone, 2015). This is very dangerous because the disruption of the reproduction could alter the food chains and that could disrupt the predator-prey balance and affect the number of animals that can be hunted. This can affect hunters because a lot of those people rely on their hunt to survive. Jonathan Shanklin one of The BAS scientists who discovered the Antarctic ozone hole in 1999 said "The formation of an Ozone hole occurring over the Arctic will likely happen within the next 20 years, perhaps as big as the one over the...
Words: 1947 - Pages: 8
...Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma develops when melanocytes do not respond to the normal control mechanisms of cellular growth. This condition often occurs in melanocytes of a preexisting mole where the abnormal growth invades nearby structures or spreads to other organs in the body. When this happens, the growths invade and compromise functions of those structures or organs. Explained simply; the cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Melanoma is mainly caused by intense, occasional UV exposure. This happens because UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells which can later affect certain genes that control...
Words: 906 - Pages: 4
...reduce the increasing incidence of skin cancer in the world. An individual's skin color is determined by their genes and their environment. Our skin can change color in reaction to sun exposure. This is called the "tanning response." When skin absorbs UV radiation, melanin is produced and transferred to the keratinocytes cells within the skin thereby darkening the color of the skin. Melanin in the skin absorbs and scatters UV radiation entering the body and helps protect the skin from adverse reactions to radiation. Thus, the "tanning response" is really a defensive reaction by the body to the presence of damaging radiation, and an effort by the body to protect itself from the harmful affect of ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B (UVA and UVB) rays (“Anatomy”). A tan still remains in the minds of many as socially desirable. Each day we are confronted with images on television and in magazines of golden-brown models and celebrities. In addition, we are the targets of local advertising and promotion of tanning salons. People must understand that a tan is not necessary; and that in addition to the premature aging of the skin, there are serious and possibly deadly consequences from the overexposure of one’s body to UVA and/or UVB rays. The deadly consequence is skin cancer. When people think of cancer they relate to the threat of colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer or the more than 90 other forms of cancer ( “Cancer”) but they seem to either disregard the...
Words: 3695 - Pages: 15
...Indoor Tanning vs. Outdoor Tanning You have two choices when it comes to getting a tan. You can either tan indoors or outdoors. While both can make you look good, they can also be dangerous to your health. Indoor tanning consists of a tanning bed with ultra violet light bulbs. Outdoor tanning consists of natural sunlight. There is a difference in the UV rays you get from both. Outdoor tanning in the sunlight you are exposed to a mixture of UVA and UVB rays. Indoor tanning you are typically only getting UVA radiation. The differences between the two are that UVB usually is what causes the skin to burn while the UVA is what affects the pigment to tan. With outdoor tanning you cannot control how much radiation you get. Certain aspects can change it though. Midday, usually between 12-4 pm the sun is at the strongest intensity. On a cloudy day the intensity of the sun will decrease but the radiation is stronger. When tanning indoor, in a tanning bed, you can control the intensity and the amount of time of the UVA radiation you get. I personally love tanning. Whether it is indoors or out in the sun. When tanning outdoor, it usually consists of being with family and friends at the beach, pool, or the lake. Lying around, playing in the water, or being on a float. Being in the water also intensifies the amount of radiation you get. Tanning indoors can be relaxing and peaceful. You have that personal alone time. You can either have it quiet or listen to some music. It also seems...
Words: 529 - Pages: 3
...Ozone depletion is a man made phenomena which industries release CFC (chlorofluorocarbons), rising up to the upper atmosphere exposing to high energy UV radiation from the Sun. Even though that CFC has low reactivity, flammability and toxicity, it remains inert in the troposphere as they disseminate among the stratosphere whereas the UV rays strikes the CFCs molecules and releases chlorine. The chemical reacts with ozone (O3/oxygen), a natural combination of O2 (oxygen) molecules and free oxygen atoms (O1) splitted by O2, by striking an ozone (O3) it leaves chlorine monoxide and an oxygen molecule, resulting in a loss of oxygen. This situation brings unfavorable results and consequences on living beings. It may cause human skin cancer and cataracts, affecting a plant’s formation, developmental process and nutrients absorbing; also implicating on their predators. Like plants, it is also a threat to the growth of marine and water ecosystems, and it affects the natural balance of gases, which, considered as biogeochemical cycles. The ozone layer can only be recovered by its own as we prevent releasing chlorine, such as replacing chlorofluorocarbon with chemicals with alike properties. This...
Words: 805 - Pages: 4