Rodent models of viral infection confirm this possibility but the situation in human subjects is not so clear apart from two exceptions. Yet UV radiation at different wavelengths differs in its effects and we have to live with the harmful effects as well as the helpful ones.

The Affect Of Uv Radiation

This can be seen from the absence of a direct UV signature mutation in 92 of all melanoma.

Effects of uv radiation on humans. Radiation at the longer UV wavelengths of 320-400 nm called UV-A plays a helpful and essential role in formation of Vitamin D by the skin and plays a harmful role in that it causes sunburn on human skin and cataracts in our eyes. The effects of UV-B radiation on human skin are varied and widespread. Experimental studies on animals and humans have shown that UV-B radiation may specifically suppress functions of the immune system.

The effects usually disappear within a couple of days but may lead to further complications later in life. Decreases in stratospheric ozone mean that more UVB radiation can reach the earths surface causing sunburns snow blindness immune suppression and a variety of skin problems including skin cancer and premature ageing. Exposure to UV radiation is recognized to suppress cellmediated immunity and therefore could adversely affect the course of a viral infection.

UV-B induces skin cancer by causing mutation in DNA and suppressing certain activities of the immune system. Health effects of UV radiation Skin. Unlike X-rays ultraviolet radiation has a low power of penetration.

Excessive amount of UV rays on the skin can lead to unnatural growth and development of certain cells which may result in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The good news is that there are various ways to protect yourself from the suns harmful effects. There are several negative effects of UV light on humans.

This UV radiation can be sorted into three categoriesUVA rays causes the skin to age and get damaged UVB rays causes sunburn and skin cancer and UVC rays does not affect the human skin but impacts the planet. Ultraviolet UV is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelength from 10nm with a corresponding frequency around 30 PHz to 400 nm 750 THz shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-raysUV radiation is present in sunlight and constitutes about 10 of the total electromagnetic radiation output from the SunIt is also produced by electric arcs and specialized lights such. UVB wavelengths 280-320 nm are strongly affected by ozone levels.

UV exposure also prevents the development of protection immunity to a variety of infections in mice and rats. Sunburn suntan and skin aging The best known acute effect of excessive UV exposure is erythema the familiar skin reddening termed sunburn. Hence its direct effects on the human body are limited to the surface skin.

In addition to establishing whether or not UV-B radiation can cause suppression of immune function in humans studies are required to determine if melanin can provide protection against such suppression the role of this suppression in the pathogenesis of skin cancer the development of infectious disease and vaccine effectiveness and the capacity for humans to develop adaptive protective mechanisms which may limit damage from continued exposure to UV-B radiation. The main benefit of UV radiation is promoting the synthesis of vitamin D from precursors in the skin. Detrimental effects include acute sun damage in the form of sunburn and chronic sun damage leading to photoageing and possibly to cutaneous malignancies.

Although curable with modern eye surgery cataracts diminish the eyesight of millions of Americans and cost billions of dollars in medical care each year. UV radiation has some beneficial effects for people. Research has shown that UV radiation increases the likelihood of certain cataracts.

Damages eyes Prolonged exposure to UV or high intensities of UV for example in sunbeds damages the tissues of eyes and can cause a burning of the eye surface called snow blindness or photokeratitis. Increased UV-B irradiance is therefore expected to have several consequences for human health. In addition most people will tan from the UV stimulation of melanin production which occurs within a few days following exposure.

The major acute effects of UV irradiation on normal human skin comprise sunburn inflammation erythema tanning and local or systemic immunosuppression. The direct effects include reddening of the skin sunburn pigmentation development suntan aging and carcinogenic changes. UV also helps with skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne and promotes general health.

Effects on the eye Many studies in experimental animals have demonstrated that UV exposure can cause both acute and delayed effects such as cataract photokeratitis damage to the corneal epithelium and various retinal effects. In most effects of sunlight on the human body UV-B radiation is the predominant component. Premature aging of the skin where there can be formation of wrinkles creases age spots and loose skin which may sag is one of the negative effects that UV radiation has on the skin.

The most deadly form malignant melanoma is mostly caused by indirect DNA damage from UVA radiation. Increasing the risk of skin cancer is the most well-known of these with about 90 percent of skin cancers being down to UV radiation mainly UV-B but UV-A rays are implicated too. Vitamin D is important for health and one of the main sources is production within the skin stimulated by UV radiation.