Health Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation

We are all aware of what is happening to the earth's ozone layer. Yes it is invisible to us but it is visible enough to block the ultraviolet radiation. There is a beneficial to small amount of ultraviolet radiation, but because of the  depletion of  the ozone layer the small amount that we are getting are becoming enormous enough resulting to health risk in a human person.

This article is not to tell that UV is bad. UV is also used in treatment of certain diseases. According to the World Health Organization, UV is use to treat several diseases including rickets, psoriasis, eczema and jaundice. This takes place under medical supervision and the benefits of treatment versus the risks of UV radiation exposure are a matter of clinical judgement. 

But as I said, a small amount of UV is beneficial, and skin diseases resulting to cancer is an effect of huge exposure to UV. Sunburn is an acute effect of too much exposure to UV. According to the WHO too much exposure to UV radiation also affects our eyes and the immune system. worst effect of  UV to the eyes is cataract.

An article in WHO says:

Worldwide some 12 to 15 million people become blind from cataracts annually, of which up to 20% may be caused or enhanced by sun exposure according to WHO estimates. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence suggests that environmental levels of UV radiation may suppress cell-mediated immunity and thereby enhance the risk of infectious diseases and limit the efficacy of vaccinations. Both of these act against the health of poor and vulnerable groups, especially children of the developing world. Many developing countries are located close to the equator and hence, people are exposed to the very high levels of UV radiation that occur in these regions.

 We are always being warned of the effects of the wrong doings of man. But we are lucky enough that we and our governments are aware of the situation happening to the planet we are living in. Thanks to the Montreal Protocol, things producing CFC that depletes the ozone layer are being phased out. As Koffi Annan quoted saying "perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol".