Health and UV-radiation
Numerous studies prove the health-damaging effects of UV radiation on the human body. The UV-B part of solar radiation causes acute sunburn in case of an overdose and an increased skin cancer risk in case of chronical exposure. In addition to the cumulative UV dose of erythemal UV irradiance, childhood sunburns are an important risk factor in terms of malign melanoma. A recently published and Austrian-based study shows a significant trend towards an increased melanoma risk in higher-altitude areas. While there is an increase in melanoma incidence rates for most age groups between 1990 and 2010, the same study on the other hand shows that melanoma mortality is decreasing. Alternatively we know today that insufficient UV exposure of the skin can also be linked to health risks. Ninety percent of the vitamin D needed by the human organism has to form in the skin under the action of UV exposure. A lack in the usage of this natural vitamin D source results in a vitamin D deficiency which again is accompanied by an increased health risk of various diseases. The question of the right UV exposure to compensate the risks of vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer proves to be a big challenge for science. Contact: S. Simic, D. Rauter