The past week has seen a blitz campaign in the media warning of the dangers of spending too much time in the sun. What's it all about, asks Reem Leila Health Ministry warnings are everywhere, and they have a single message: ultra violet (UV) radiation will peak from 19 July until the end of the month and people must protect themselves, particularly between 11am and 5pm, when the sun is at its strongest. The dangers of spending too much time unprotected in the sun, say the warnings, include premature wrinkling, freckling, burning, cataracts and skin cancer. Sunlight contains two types of UV radiation, UVA and UVB. While the first does little else beyond provide a tan, shorter UVB waves can impair immunity systems and cause sunburn and skin cancer. Depletion of the earth's ozone layer had until recently been thought to place only those living close to polar regions at greater risk from stronger sunlight. But as the ozone hole had grown, so too has the number of people at risk. "From the north coast of Africa to Eritrea populations are facing year round risks associated with greater exposure to UVB," says Sadek Abdel-Aal, head of the PeaceDiatrics Society, a non-governmental organisation concerned with health, particularly children. On 28 and 29 July, says Abdel-Aal, UV radiation in Egypt will peak at 12.2 on the World Health Organisation's (WHO) UV index. To put this in perspective, at high altitudes in the tropics, under clear skies, UV radiation reaches 15-16. Radiation is greatest when the sun is overhead and decreases rapidly as the sun approaches the horizon. The higher the UV index the greater the danger of damage to skin and eyes from regular exposure to the sun. Hani El-Nazer, professor of Dermatology and head of the National Research Centre (NRC), says the public should not be lulled into thinking cloud cover makes much difference. An estimated 80 per cent of UVB can penetrate clouds, as well as water, and excessive exposure to such levels can lead to cataracts forming in addition to skin problems. While El-Nazer advises caution it is not, he says, necessary to avoid the sun altogether. "Sunscreens, vitamins, and sunglasses offer protection and will allow the public to enjoy the sunshine while avoiding any hazardous side effects," he says. In order to enjoy the sun, sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before going outdoors by anyone who intends to be exposed for more than 20 minutes. El-Nazer recommends that people pay particular attention to the face, hands, arms, ears, neck and shoulders when applying sun block. Lips, which contain almost no melanin, are especially vulnerable to sun damage. Exposure should be kept to a minimum when the sun is at its strongest, when wide-brimmed hats, UV blocking sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn. Despite the warning campaign few people vacationing by the sea appear to be taking the precautions recommended. Dalal Masoud, a 40-year-old accountant, is typical of many vacationers: "I've discussed this with many people on the beach," she says, "and we have all concluded that the campaign is an attempt by the government to distract the public's attention from the horrific results of the Thanaweya amma, and the terror threat to the Cairo metro." In order to combat such apathy the public health warning campaign will go up a notch next week when 27 billboards facing popular North Coast beaches, from Al-Maamoura to Al-Qalaa, are unveiled, spelling out the dangers of sunbathing without protection. And plans are afoot to expand the billboard campaign to all Egyptian resort beaches by the end of the summer.
