CAIRO: Ultra-violet sun rays reached a peak over the Middle East, North Africa, South East Asia and Latin America on Wednesday, said the Health Ministry. On Tuesday the ministry had issued a public service announcement warning citizens from direct exposure to the sun. Ministry spokesman Dr Abdel Rahman Shaheen said that according to some images captured by Austrian satellites, the amount of ultra-violet rays omitted by the sun would reach hazardous levels. In the statement, Dr Sadek Abdel Aal, head of the children s safety association cautioned against exposing babies and children directly to the sun. He also advised people to wear a considerable amount of sun block and sunglasses to limit the sun s damaging effects. The rays reached their worst Wednesday between 11 am and 4 pm. Skin cancer and cataracts are among the major ill-effects of the ultra-violet rays. Dermatologist Sara Adel told The Daily Star Egypt that there are two kinds ultra-violet rays: UVA long wave and UVB medium wave. The ozone layer absorbs most of the UVB, Adel said, It causes sunburns, damages collagen fibers, accelerates skin aging and the appearance of wrinkles. It can also alter our DNA causing genetic mutations and this can lead to skin cancer. Adel explained that the tan we usually develop after being exposed to the sun, due to the secretion of melanin in the skin, is our bodies defense against the harmful rays. The use of sun block is extremely important, she added. Ultra-violet rays are not all harmful, though. They are absorbed by our skin and helps in the formation of vitamin D which is extremely important to our bones. The Ministry of Health assured this high level of ultra-violet rays will only last throughout Thursday, meaning that the rest of the summer is safe for beach-goers.
