July is designated as National Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. According to the American Cancer Society, individuals with a high level of exposure to UV rays from the sun have an increased risk of skin cancer, which is the most prevalent type of cancer in the country. It is important to note that despite these statistics, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer and can be avoided by reducing one’s exposure to UV radiation. As such, I would like to share some important information on the necessary precautions to take in order to safeguard against the damaging effects of UV radiation this summer as recommended by the United State Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
One of the most important ways to protect oneself from overexposure to UV radiation is to understand the risks. While the sun emits UV rays no matter the season, exposure is greatest during the summer months, which also coincides with a time of increased outdoor activity for most people. As one of the most popular tourism destinations in the state, this is especially true in our area as both locals and visitors alike spend more time outside participating in recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming. It is also important to note that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. As such, HHS recommends seeking shade when possible, during these hours to limit exposure.
Moreover, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the strength of the sun’s UV rays can vary from day to day due to many factors such as changes in the weather. Limiting outdoor activity during days when the UV Index forecast is high can also help reduce one’s chance of overexposure. You can check the UV Index forecast to understand the exposure risks in our area daily by visiting https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety
In addition to understanding your risk of exposure to UV radiation, another way to reduce instances of skin cancer is by wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has also stated that UV radiation is linked to many common vision issues such as cataracts. To protect against damage from UV radiation, both the CDC and HHS recommend wearing broad-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.
According to the American Cancer Society, wearing sunscreen is one of the most important precautionary measures to take in avoiding overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends generously applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to cover all exposed skin, which will help protect against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The FDA also recommends using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) at a value of at least 15. Sunscreen should be generously applied throughout the day, especially after swimming and sweating.
This summer, I hope you will all join me in promoting UV safety by following the recommendations outlined above. To learn more about the ways you can prevent overexposure to UV radiation, please visit the HHS July UV Safety Month information visit https://foh.psc.gov/calendar/summersafety.html. To learn more about skin cancer, including risk factors and early detection techniques, please visit https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun.html.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. My offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.