Ultraviolet Radiation and Its Health Risks to Humans

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation has many benefits; it is an important source for the formation of ozone, the basis of the ozone layer, This layer protects the Earth from harmful radiation and helps humans absorb vitamin D, which is essential for the absorption and storage of calcium in bones. However, this radiation also has significant harmful effects that can lead to human death. Due to the significant impact of these effects on humans, whether positive or negative, the researcher was motivated toconduct this research.

The study focused on six main areas. The first section examined the theoretical framework of the study, considering it the fundamental step in the research, while the second section covered the types of ultraviolet radiation. The third section focused on methods for measuring and calculating ultraviolet radiation, whereas the fourth section examined the factors affecting the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching to the Earth’s surface, while the fifth section focused on the diseases caused by ultraviolet radiation, and the fifth and final section addressed international indicators for ultraviolet radiation.

The study revealed that there are three wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation, and each wavelength affects human health differently. The wavelengths UVB and UVC have a lesser effect compared to the UVA wavelength. It also showed that the body parts most affected by ultraviolet radiation are the skin and the eyes; consequently, several diseases have emerged, some of which are mild and treatable, while others are incurable, such as cancers affecting the eyes and skin.