Adverse Effects of UV Light

Ultra-violet light is electromagnetic radiation and not visible to human eyes. The sun naturally radiates Ultra-violet light. The ozone layer absorbs the harmful UV radiation, protecting the surface of the earth from exposure. EPA suggests that the ozone layer is at risk of absorbing less harmful UV radiation due to the presence of chemicals, like chlorofluorocarbons. Other sources of UV radiation are halogen lights, incandescent and fluorescent sources, and specific lasers.

The dealers that sell UVC lamps (ขายหลอด UVC, which is the term in Thai) to you may not tell you that prolonged exposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer, eye damage, and immune system suppression.

Effect on Skin

Studies suggest that UV-B (a section of the UV spectrum) may result in erythma (reddening of the skin) darkening of the skin and skin burns,

UV-A (another section of the UV spectrum) results in the darkening of the skin. Overexposure to the sun results in premature skin aging.

Skin Cancer

NASA suggests that a good number of skin carcinomas are caused by UV-B exposure. Overexposure to UV rays from the Sun can cause three types of skin cancer; squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Amongst the three, malignant melanoma is the most critical type of skin cancer and can be deadly if it’s not treated in the early stages. Basal cell carcinomas develop as a result of overexposure of the hands, face, and neck to the sun. This is not as fatal as malignant melanoma and does not spread to other body parts.

Effect on Eye

The cornea absorbs a high amount of UV light, and this makes the eyes very sensitive to UV radiation. This may result in snow-blindness (temporary clouding of the cornea). Exposure to UV radiation may result in chronic conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal damage. These conditions may eventually cause blindness. Melanoma (a skin cancer type) can also occur in the human eye.