July is UV Awareness Month

UV Safety continues to be a reminder of the connection between over exposure to UV light and cancers that occur in the eyes, lips, and the skin. Many of us know that overexposure to UV rays from the sun during the summer months (when we are often outside for extended periods of time) can cause severe skin and eye injuries, including sunburn, skin cancer, cataracts, maculardegeneration, and growths on our eyes - including cancer.

In the United States, the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are the most hazardous for UV exposure and are at their greatest intensity during the late spring and earlysummer.

UV Index 3-5 means low risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. UV Index 6-7 means moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. UV Index 8-10 means high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. UV Index of 11+ means a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure.

• The ultraviolet index, or UV index, is an international standard measurement of the strength ofthe sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation at a particular place and time.

• It is primarily used in daily forecasts aimed at the general public, and is increasinglyavailable as an hourly forecast aswell.

• Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can penetrate and change skin cells which can lead to photodamage and skin cancer.