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Human health in relation to exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation under changing stratospheric ozone and climate.
- Source :
-
Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology [Photochem Photobiol Sci] 2019 Mar 01; Vol. 18 (3), pp. 641-680. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Feb 27. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- The Montreal Protocol has limited increases in the UV-B (280-315 nm) radiation reaching the Earth's surface as a result of depletion of stratospheric ozone. Nevertheless, the incidence of skin cancers continues to increase in most light-skinned populations, probably due mainly to risky sun exposure behaviour. In locations with strong sun protection programs of long duration, incidence is now reducing in younger age groups. Changes in the epidemiology of UV-induced eye diseases are less clear, due to a lack of data. Exposure to UV radiation plays a role in the development of cataracts, pterygium and possibly age-related macular degeneration; these are major causes of visual impairment world-wide. Photodermatoses and phototoxic reactions to drugs are not uncommon; management of the latter includes recognition of the risks by the prescribing physician. Exposure to UV radiation has benefits for health through the production of vitamin D in the skin and modulation of immune function. The latter has benefits for skin diseases such as psoriasis and possibly for systemic autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The health risks of sun exposure can be mitigated through appropriate sun protection, such as clothing with both good UV-blocking characteristics and adequate skin coverage, sunglasses, shade, and sunscreen. New sunscreen preparations provide protection against a broader spectrum of solar radiation, but it is not clear that this has benefits for health. Gaps in knowledge make it difficult to derive evidence-based sun protection advice that balances the risks and benefits of sun exposure.
- Subjects :
- Climate Change
DNA Damage radiation effects
Eye Diseases prevention & control
Health
Humans
Skin Diseases etiology
Skin Diseases prevention & control
Skin Neoplasms prevention & control
Sunlight
Vitamin D analysis
Vitamin D Deficiency prevention & control
Eye Diseases etiology
Immunity radiation effects
Skin Neoplasms etiology
Stratospheric Ozone analysis
Ultraviolet Rays adverse effects
Vitamin D Deficiency etiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1474-9092
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30810559
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1039/c8pp90060d