Ultraviolet radiation is a kind of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from the sun and is harmful to human health due to certain chemical reactions– mainly, the eyes and skin; but it does have higher and more harmful effects. In the past years, with increasing global warming and changing environmental and atmospheric conditions, exposure to UV radiation has increased. The reason for this is mainly the depleting ozone layer. Earlier, the ozone layer would filter out the UV rays from the sunlight reaching the earth (the United States Environmental Protection Agency; 2008).
UV Radiation results in a provision of vitamin D which is a good thing. It is also used for the treatment of a few diseases that include eczema, jaundice, and even rickets. However, the benefits do not remain if the exposure is long-term; in fact, it can result in chronic diseases. The harmful effects are many; it not only damages your immune system but also causes indirect DNA damage. Generally, your eyes and skin are unsafe; it is not about getting very deep sunburn, but about the cells of your skin damaging permanently. The radiation causes the skin molecules to degenerate and causes fibrous tissues and – the effect is so permeating that it affects the blood vessels as well. This results in the skin not only being rough and dark, but it ages way before time (United State Environmental Protection Agency; 2008). If this continues, it can result in skin cancer. In the case of eyes, cataract has become a very common side effect. 20% of all the 12-15 million people who go blind because of cataract is due to UV Radiation (World Health Organization; 1999).
One of the most basic and abundant supplies of UV radiation is the sun. The sun emits radiation which has harmful rays included. The ozone layer is the shield that protects the earth from these radiations. But because of using Chlorofluorocarbons in aerosol sprays, refrigerators, and also the release of greenhouse gases that increases the general temperature and increase global warming, is causing the ozone layer to deplete. The ozone is estimated to be depleted at a rate of 4% per decade; which is very high. Also, this percentage is increasing and in New Zealand, the percentage has risen to 10% after the rupture in the Atlantic hole (World Health Organization; 1999).
Everybody realizes the need to take action now because this condition is becoming grave. World Health Organization has taken quite a lot of steps to prevent the ozone from depleting. They’ve run campaigns to inform and educate people of the harmful effects of using CFCs and aerosols (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1978).
In countries like Australia, proper organizations have been formed to deal with this situation. Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is an organization working to monitor the level of radiation and make sure that the level is under control. They have proper radioanalytical, radiopharmaceutical and even personal radiation monitoring services that help in determining the future steps. They conduct proper research on which the steps are then based. On a personal level, people can make sure they apply sunblock, wear sunglasses, and not travel out a lot during day time if their bodies are generally being affected. Also, wear protective clothing (United States Environmental Protection Agency; 2008).
If appropriate steps are taken and both a personal plus local/global effort is made, this problem can be tackled successfully for a better environment.
Works Cited
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Industrial Noise Control manual (1978).
- United State Environmental Protection Agency; Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion (2008).
- United State Environmental Protection Agency; Ozone Layer Depletion: Basic Information (2008).
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. Radon.
- World Health Organization; Community Noise, Edited by Berglund, Birgitta & Lindvall, Thomas, Stockholm, Sweden (1999).