Ultraviolet And Its Effects On Society

More apparent on hydrophobic fibers because their fibers have greater electrical static attraction for each other ran do not fall off the fabric surface. Wool also pills because it has a scaly surface.

Thesis: Many people do not use sun protection on a daily bases and are unaware of the health effects of sun exposure that can be easily preventive by using sun protection.

The basic component in tanning is ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light, whether produced by a tanning unit or by the sun, contains two components; UVA and UVB. These are the two types of ultraviolet radiation that are known to negatively effect the skin. UVA has a longer wavelength that causes photoaging and can produce some melanomas. UVB has a shorter wavelength that also causes photoaging and has been implicated in skin cancers. Photoaging is the premature aging or deep wrinkling of skin. Indoor tanning units utilize both forms of light waves to tan a person with a minimized risk of sunburn. Tanning outdoors does not give you this option because the sun omits every type of UV rays, so a person is more likely to burn. A person’s skin epidermis consists of two layers: The germinative layer and the horny layer. Another name for the germinative layer is the “living layer.” And another name for the horny layer is the “dead” layer. When exposed to ultraviolet light, melanocytes in the germinative layer produce melanin that is absorbed by surrounding cells. Melanin is a dark pigment found in the pigment-bearing cells of the skin, and melanocytes are epidermal cells capable of synthesizing melanin. This creates a protective barrier from ultraviolet light reaching deeper into the layers of the skin. The pale pink melanin granules are stored in the core of keratin cells. UVA darkens the melanin,

b. Describe the spectral curve of each target type with respect to its absorption and reflectance characteristics. (3)

UV radiation, such as that from the sun can be very harmful. It has been shown to cause many different mutations within cells, leading to issues for the organism such as death or disease. One of the most prevalent sources of UV radiation for humans is the sun. It’s very important for us to know the extent of cellular damage that can be caused by this radiation, as to know how harmful the sun’s rays are to us as humans. One way that the damage caused by the suns radiation can be tested is through the model organism yeast. For this lab, we exposed two different strains of yeast to UV radiation to test its affects. One strain was able to self-repair, while one was genetically altered so that it could not. Observations were recorded at

Literature Review: Research into this topic shows that it is not as simplistic as might be imagined, but has in fact been examined as part of rigorous research projects undertaken on behalf of paper towel manufacturers (Beuther et al, 2010). The ways in which paper towels absorb, and therefore the rates at which they are able to absorb, vary depending on the microscopic fiber structures within individual paper towels, which of course vary greatly depending on the manufacturing materials and processes in the making of each brand of paper towels (Beuther et al, 2010). Fiber types and construction patterns have also been demonstrated to have a large impact on absorbency in natural and synthetic textiles examined in a similar experiment (Beskisiz et al, 2009). Both of these pieces of research suggest certain controls for the paper towel experiment described herein (Beuther et al, 2010; Bekisiz et al, 2009).

Exposure to sunlight may increase the risk of developing growths on the eyes and cataracts. Don’t forget that this risk applies to using tanning beds, and always protect your eyes from indoor UV light. When sunlight reflects off water and sand, it can lead to a painful condition called photokeratitis (which is also responsible for snow blindness and is like a sunburned eye).

Avobenzone is soluble in and capable of absorbing light throughout the entire UVA spectrum. It is one of the very few most effective UVA chemical blocker in widespread use.

Several findings are made based on the results: UV radiation can cause cell death by inducing genetic mutation, which agree with Diepegen et al. (2012)’s finding regarding UV radiation’s destructive effect at a cellular level. Photoprotective agents can effectively prevent and reduce UV radiation induced damage to cells. Similar findings were made by Quatrano and Dinulos (2013), who indicated that sunscreen contains active ingredient that absorbs UV radiation ranging between 290-400 nm. This experiment proves that photoprotective agents with higher SPF values are more effective in absorbing UV radiation. Indicated by Green et al. (2011), they suggested that regular application of high SPF sunscreen will prevent melanoma.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is present in normal sunlight and sunlamps. “The sun emits energy over a broad spectrum of wavelengths: visible light that [one] can see, infrared radiation that [one] feels as heat, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation that [one] cannot see or feel. UV radiation has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than visible light. It affects human health both positively and negatively” (U.S. EPA). There are multiple types of ultraviolet radiation known to scientists and each affects human in different ways. “The longer ultraviolet rays (UVA), which penetrate deep into the skin, are responsible for tanning. Shorter rays (UVB) damage superficial skin cell layers, causing sunburn” (Harvard). Medical researchers at the Skin Cancer Foundation found that “the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation can lead to premature skin aging (wrinkles, lax skin, brown spots, and more), as well as skin cancer” (Skin Cancer Foundation).

For this year’s science project, I would like to test the effects of both mineral and commercial sunscreens on human skin and coral reefs. In current news, the island chain and United States’ state, Hawaii is planning on banning common sunscreens for the detrimental effects on the coral reefs. I would like to test the sunscreens for the detrimental effects on human skin as well to answer the common question, “Why should I care?” With this project, I will be able to educate the public on not only the effects of chemicals on marine life, but also on humans as well. Also, determine if there is a way not to wear sunscreen at all and still be protected from the sun’s UV rays.

Ultraviolet light is present in sunlight. Generally the wavelengths are too short to be seen in the visible spectrum, it is present in sunlight, tanning beds, and black lights. (Lynch and Livingston, 2001) Earth’s atmosphere blocks

UV radiation has a shorter wavelength than infrared radiation so it is more energetic because it has a higher frequency. So UV has more energy to damage cells than infrared.

Carlowicz, Michael. New Simulation Shows Consequences of a World Without Earth’s         Natural Sunscreen. Ed. Robert Garner. NASA. 25 Mar. 2009. 8 Jan. 2017.

Every hour at least one American will die of skin cancer caused by exposure to the sun. These statistics are alarming and most people are unaware that the sunshine that we all love so much is in fact a threat to our health and good looks. It is up to us to educate ourselves and our children on the harmful effects of sun exposure on the human body like premature aging, physical damage to the body, and cancerous diseases.