Ultraviolet radiation can actually be good for our health and in small amounts it can potentially reduce our risk of breast cancer. This is because UV radiation has Vitamin D in it and just 15 minutes sun a day can help to give you all of the vitamin D that you need. However it is when you get too much radiation that it can start to have negative effects on the body.
Where Ultraviolet Radiation Comes From
UV radiation sources include natural sunlight, tanning beds and germicidal lamps as well as curing lamps and black lights. It is natural sun UV radiation which is better for you but you do need to protect yourself from it still as otherwise you will feel the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Ultraviolet radiation and fluorescence sources are often mistaken as being harmless. So many people use sun tanning beds thinking that it is not harming them, when in fact the radiation coming out of them is actually a lot higher than what the natural sun radiation levels are. So if you do plan on using a sun tanning bed then make sure that you take the appropriate safety steps for UV radiation.
Overall it can be hard to tell fact and fiction on UV radiation due to the fact that there are so many myths out there regarding its safety. So before you expose yourself to UV radiation it is important to find out everything you can about the health effects of UV radiation and what sources of UV radiation actually are.
How Ultraviolet Radiation Affects Us and the Environment
The cause of ultraviolet radiation is mainly the sun and the effects of UV radiation on the environment are not overly severe. The only real threat on the environment is for amphibians. They can develop deformities due to a high exposure to UV radiation and humans are affected also.
The types and sources of UV radiation will obviously make a difference to how badly we are affected, but generally the higher the exposure, the more risks that there are to our bodies. Though a little UV radiation can help to prevent breast cancer, a high dosage can cause us to develop skin cancer, age spots and it can also cause premature aging as well as weakening the immune system.
There can also be DNA affects from UV radiation as the radiation affects the enzymes which help to repair damaged DNA. So genetics and UV radiation are linked and too much exposure can cause serious problems.
Overall ultraviolet radiation can be lethal yet at the same time in small doses it can be good for our health too. Just make sure that you know what you are letting yourself in for if you do regularly expose yourself to UV radiation and ensure that you know how to keep yourself safe too.