Monday, Feb. 17, 1992
Hats On!
Ozone depletion is cause for caution, but it's no reason to stay barricaded indoors or put on an astronaut suit before venturing outside. Excessive exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays has always been dangerous; the ozone problem just adds to the risk. Says NASA's Michael Kurylo: "We're not talking about a single exposure to a death ray. It takes repeated exposure over long periods of time."
Even if there were no atmospheric damage, an estimated one-sixth of all Americans would still develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Most cases are curable, if detected early. The 4% to 8% loss of ozone over the past decade could raise the risk at least 15%. A significant increase in cataracts, which now afflict 1 of every 10 Americans, could also occur.
As the ozone depletion gets worse, health risks will rise, but the odds of getting cancer or cataracts can be dramatically reduced by following guidelines that doctors recommended long before ozone depletion became a big issue. Their suggestions:
-- When out in the sun for prolonged periods, wear protective clothing. That means choosing fabrics that have a tight weave and donning a wide-brimmed hat. A baseball cap is not adequate because it leaves the delicate rims of the ears exposed.
-- In summer, when comfort calls for shorts and T shirts, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
-- Minimize the time spent in the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
-- Wear sunglasses when outdoors in bright sunlight. Ask for ones that are treated to absorb UV radiation or that meet the American National Standards Institute Guidelines for eye wear. Poorly designed sunglasses that do not block UV rays could do more harm than good. Under dark lenses, the pupils dilate, making it easier for UV light to damage the delicate membrane of the retina.