We are often asked by people talking about our product, Chrome Dome Caps, what UV is and how it effects us as human beings on this planet. UV is short for ‘Ultraviolet Radiation’ and is part of the electromagnetic radiation, or simply energy, we receive from the Sun. No matter where we are, as long as there is sunshine we are being exposed to some level of UV radiation. However, UV strength and your risk of exposure varies greatly depending on a number of things such as your location, the time of year and time of day, altitude, cloud cover, ozone levels, and more. The level of UV and your risk of exposure is represented by the UV Index and you can find what the UV Index is for your location using the UV Index Forecast.
Ultraviolet radiation is a form of light that is not visible to humans. It is called ultra (beyond) violet because it is beyond the frequency that humans identify as the color violet. Although we cannot see this type of light, other life on Earth such as bees and butterflies can, and use it for guidance and identification. UV is divided into three categories UVA, UVB, and UVC, depending on its wavelength. Each type can be damaging to health in different ways.
UV Radiation Effects
Over exposure to UV can have serious serious health such as skin cancer (both non-malignant and malignant melanoma), premature aging of the skin, cataracts, eye cancer, snow blindness and immune system suppression. Chrome Dome Caps, with its Certified UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+) can help the wearer limit the amount of UV exposure to the head.
We will discuss these different types of UV in next week’s blog and UPF the following week.
Credits: Image courtesy of photofriday at FreeDigitalPhotos.net