People exposed to sunlight for a long time may suffer from different health problems as ultraviolet (UV) rays in it increase during July and August in the Emirates.
During summer these rays filter through the protective ozone layer that absorbs much of these dangerous radiations, Ali Abdulla Al Gifri, Director of the UAE Meteorological Department said here yesterday (Tuesday).
These rays are damaging not only for human beings but also for plants, animals and all other living organisms. The UV is considered as one of the main cause of skin diseases and cancers, dehydration, different eye problems, and aging factor in human beings.
"The effects of UV radiation are more insidious and detrimental to the eye and vision than had been suspected previously," he said, adding research on animals and fish have shown premature aging of the lens or cataract that has long been associated with UV radiation.
"In the light of new findings, the researchers suggest that medical practitioners should not hesitate to prescribe UV filters for sun glasses."
The director said that maximum UV radiation in the UAE is recorded in the month of July and August that goes down to its minimum levels in December. The high radiation time is 12pm and people should avoid long exposures to sunlight.
Khalid Masood Zaidi, a Meteorologist at the Ozone Station of the Met Department, said ozone depletion has raised the level of these rays, increasing health hazards for human and plants all over the world.
The UAE, which is continuously monitoring the ozone layer over the country since 1998, has been contributing to the international efforts under the Montreal Protocol for the protection of Ozone.
He said the observatory, which is a member of the Canada-based World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre (WOVDC), has been producing valuable scientific data on ozone and the damaging UV radiation.
Zaidi said UV radiation starts with sunrise every day and travels throughout the day with sun. It reaches at peak at midday and then starts declining.
Dr Riaz Ahmed Minhas, a physician at the Emirates Clinic and Medical Centre in Al Ain, said ultraviolet rays also raise body temperature in summer which results in dehydration, drowsiness, heat cramps and even comma.
"People with fair skin are more susceptible to getting skin cancer than those with darker skin but everyone should be very careful."
Health authorities have particularly warned people from the working class mainly labourers. The second high-risk group includes children, who play in the open and the European expatriates.
Dr Minhas also advised people to wear light coloured clothes and cover most of their bodies. They should consume at least three litres per day during summer and even more than that if they spend time outdoors.
"People generally do not realise how hot it is, especially in windy conditions. They should protect their bodies against direct sunlight by wearing sun-screen, a hat and carrying an umbrella."
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