Health Sciences Library Virtual Displays

Children are more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage than adults, and sunburn during childhood increases the risk of skin cancer and eye damage (particularly cataracts) later in life, and also suppresses the immune system. This teaching resource aims to provide primary school teachers with a starting point to incorporate sun protection into the curriculum and school activities. Realizing the general shortage of time and financial resources, the suggested materials and activities are intended to help teachers address sun protection without much extra time or preparation. The resource draws heavily on the experience of the SunSmart Campaign schools program in Australia and the SunWise school program in the United States.

This publication, prepared jointly by the WHO, the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme, considers the public health challenges arising from global climate change and options for policy responses, with particular focus on the health sector. Aspects discussed include: an overview of historical developments and recent scientific assessments; weather and climate change; population vulnerability and the adaptive capacity of public health systems; the IPCC Third Assessment report; tasks for public health scientists; the health impacts of climate extremes; climate change, infectious diseases and the level of disease burdens; ozone depletion, ultraviolet radiation and health; and methodological issues in monitoring health effects of climate change.

An IARC Working Group has assessed the available evidence relating to possible detrimental health effects of exposure to artificial ultraviolet radiation through use of indoor tanning facilities, in particular whether their use increases the risk for skin cancer. Epidemiologic studies to date give no consistent evidence that use of indoor tanning facilities in general is associated with the development of melanoma or skin cancer. Knowledge of levels of UV exposure during indoor tanning is very imprecise. Moreover, early studies published had low power to detect long-term associations with artificial UV exposure that become evident only following a prolonged lag period. However, the data showed a prominent and consistent increase in risk for melanoma in people who first used indoor tanning facilities in their twenties or teen years. Limited data suggest that squamous cell carcinoma is similarly increased after first use as a teenager. Artificial tanning confers little if any protection against solar damage to the skin, nor does use of indoor tanning facilities grant protection against vitamin D deficiency. Data also suggest detrimental effects from use of indoor tanning facilities on the skin's immune response and possibly on the eyes (ocular melanoma).

Evaluates carcinogenic risks associated with human exposure to solar radiation and to ultraviolet radiation from medical and cosmetic devices general illumination and industrial sources. The main objective of the evaluation was to determine whether enough evidence is available to decide which segments of the radiation spectrum are responsible for its adverse effects. To this end, particular attention is given to data that shed light on the distinctive carcinogenic activity of ultraviolet A B and C radiation. In evaluating carcinogenic potential the report also considers the importance of human constitutional risk factors such as skin type hair and eye color and specific subtypes of exposure such as occupational and recreational exposures. More than 1000 studies were critically assessed. On the basis of a large body of evidence from human and experimental studies, the monograph concludes that solar radiation is carcinogenic to humans causing cutaneous malignant melanoma and nonmelanocytic skin cancer. Evidence for the carcinogenicity of ultraviolet A, B, and C radiation was judged sufficient in experimental animals. All three segments of the radiation spectrum were classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. Use of sunlamps and sunbeds entails exposures that are probably carcinogenic to humans. The carcinogenicity of exposure to fluorescent lighting could not be determined. Studies of topical sunscreens are reviewed in an appendix, which concludes that although effective in preventing sunburn little is known about their protective value against harmful immuno-logical changes photo-ageing or skin cancer.

Understanding cataract risk factors is a vital topic in preventative medicine and offers hope to the multitude of people in the world who cannot be aided by an intraocular lens implantation. In the multifaceted process of cataract development ultraviolet radiation is one of the important risk factors. This publication focuses on clinical studies, epidemiologic data as well as experimental approaches to ultraviolet radiation and its effects on the lens. Further articles discuss the cataract epidemiology and the biochemistry of the lens. In addition lens research in the 20th century is evaluated with regard to methods and results. The book is dedicated to Professor K. Sasaki from the University of Ishikawa (Japan) and his research over the last twenty years. Ophthalmologists in practice as well as those involved in lens and cataract research or interested in the mechanisms and the pathogenesis of lens opacification in old age will find a wealth of information in this volume. Likewise, it will be essential to physicians working in public health services, environmental medicine, and those concerned with eye damage caused by radiation.

The goal of this volume is to comprehensively cover a highly readable, updated and extended, overview on our present knowledge of positive and negative effects of UV‑exposure, with a focus on vitamin D and skin cancer. Topics that are discussed in‑depth by leading researchers and clinicians range from the newest findings in endocrinology, epidemiology, histology, photobiology, immunology, cytogenetics and molecular pathology to new concepts for prophylaxis and treatment. Experts in the field as well as health care professionals not intimately involved in these specialized areas are provided with the most significant and timely information related to these topics. It is the aim of the second edition of this book to summarize essential up‑to‑date information for every clinician or scientist interested in how to balance between positive and negative effects of UV‑exposure to minimize the risks of developing vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer.

This book is about the roles and importance of Ultraviolet (UV) light from sun and from man-made UV lamps in our daily life, on health and diseases, also its application in sterilization and treatment. The key words are: reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, UV mutagenicity, skin cancers, polymorphous light eruption, Xeroderma pigmentosum, vitiligo, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, dermatology, photobiology, photodermatosis, vitamin D synthesis, vitamin D efficiency, water sterilization, blood sterilization, phototherapies, skin tanning and UV dosimeter. The book starts with introduction to UV light and the history of development of UV lamps and its applications. It then moves to describing the interaction of this light with biological components and the production of reactive oxygen species, their roles in cell signaling, cellular defense from foreign invaders, in mutagenesis leading to skin diseases includingvitiligo, polymorphous light eruption and various forms of skin cancer. Then it presents the synthesis and importance of UV light and diseases, induced due to the deficiency of vitamin D. Roles of UV light in sterilization, disinfection, phototherapies are depicted in the next part and finally use and abuse of UV light in tanning salon and the availability and importance of use of UV dosimeter are highlighted.

Handbook of UV Degradation and Stabilization, Third Edition, discusses different aspects of UV-related phenomena that occur when polymeric materials are exposed to UV radiation. It reviews existing literature, looking at how plants, animals and humans protect themselves against UV radiation. This review permits evaluation of mechanisms of protection against UV used by living things and potential application of these mechanisms in the protection of natural and synthetic polymeric materials. Other chapters look at more specific aspects of UV degradation and stabilization, such as specific polymers and rubbers, analytical methods used in UV stabilization, health and safety, and more. This book is an excellent companion to the Databook of UV stabilizers which has also been published recently. Both books supplement each other without repeating the same information - one contains data another theory, mechanisms of action, practical effects and implications of application.