Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a higher frequency and lower wavelength than visible light, and it comes from both natural and artificial sources. Overexposure to UV radiation can have serious consequences, such as skin cancer, eye damage, and other health issues. To protect yourself, it's essential to understand the guidelines for UV exposure and how to reduce your risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) works hard to increase public understanding of the effects of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
WHO's INTERSUN Programme promotes and evaluates research on the health effects of UV radiation, develops an appropriate response through guidelines, recommendations, and information dissemination, and collaborates with experts and specialized agencies to implement key research activities. To protect yourself from UV radiation, the WHO recommends wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs, a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, head, ears, and neck, sunglasses that wrap around and block UVA and UVB rays, and sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. The ideal sunglasses should block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays; check the label to make sure they work. The SunSmart Global UV app helps protect you from the dangers of the sun and promotes public health.
WHO also recommends restricting sun loungers to prevent rising rates of skin cancer. Additionally, WHO's updated compendium provides a systematic compilation of published guidelines from WHO and other United Nations organizations on health and the environment. Children are particularly vulnerable to overexposure to UV radiation, so it's important to raise awareness about ultraviolet radiation and support the development of national policies on electromagnetic fields. To reduce your risk of overexposure to UV radiation, follow the guidelines outlined by WHO and use the SunSmart Global UV app. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy the sun safely while protecting yourself from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Remember that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to protecting your health.