Five Things: UV Exposure, Sun Safety

July is UV Safety Month, according to the Bergen County Department of Health Services, and therefore a good time to remind residents of the dangers of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure—namely that it is the main cause of skin cancer and can also damage your eyes.

The UV Index was developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to indicate the strength of solar UV radiation on a scale of one to “11 plus,” with one being “low” and 11 or more being “extremely high,” according to the EPA.

The UV Index for Fort Lee on Thursday, according to the EPA’s SunWise program, was nine—“very high.”

Here are five things the county health services department and the EPA want you to know on days with such a high UV Index:

Number one:

While anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greater for lighter-skinned people with freckles, blond or red hair and/or blue or green eyes.

Number two:

On days with a UV Index in the 8 to 10 range, the EPA says "protection against sun damage is needed." If you need to be outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., "take steps to reduce sun exposure."

Number three:

A shirt, hat and sunscreen "are a must" on such days, according to the EPA, which also says to "be sure you seek shade."

Number four:

The county recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reminds residents to check their skin regularly for changes such as a new mole that looks different from other existing moles; new red or dark-colored flaky, raised patches; new firm, flesh-colored bumps; changes in the size, shape, color or feel of moles; or sores that don’t heal.

Number five:

And a special tip for summer beachgoers from the EPA: white sand and other bright surfaces can reflect UV rays and double exposure.

Every day the National Weather Service calculates the predicted UV Index in each area of the country for the next day and publishes the UV Index forecast by mid-afternoon on their website. The forecast may include a UV Alert if the index is unusually high and the risk of overexposure is greater than normal.