strategy
Undertaking research on health effects of increasing ultraviolet radiation
Context:
Ultraviolet is the major known cause of skin cancer. It is not disputed that exposure to sun increases the risk of skin cancer. It is believed that the riskiest types of exposure are sunburn, particularly during childhood, and intermittent exposure - such as office workers taking two-week holidays in the sun. Such intermittent exposure is thought to increase the risk of malignant melanoma by 70 per cent, while sunburn is supposed nearly to double the risk.The mechanism by which sunshine leads to malignant melanoma is not fully understood. Some people are more at risk, for example if they have red hair and freckles, but the full genetic predisposition is not understood. One paradox which has been difficult to explain is that people who work in the sun appear to have a reduced risk of melanoma.
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.
Implementation:
Skin cancer has become the focus of intervention campaigns in Australia, Europe and North America. Broader:
Researching radiationResearching public healthAssessing health impacts of climate changeUndertaking interdisciplinary research on health effects of climate changeResearching Narrower:
Assessing marine biological effects of increased ultraviolet radiationAssisting coastal States to assess effects of additional ultraviolet radiation Constrains:
Using ultraviolet radiation Facilitates:
Researching child exposure to environmental hazardsAssessing effects of ozone layer depletion on living organismsTaking measures to mitigate the health effects of increasing ultraviolet radiation Facilitated by:
Evaluating cognitive effects of environmental health hazards Problems:
Environmental hazards of solar radiationExperimental exposure of animals to radiation
Harmful biological effects of ionizing radiation
Subjects:
Fundamental Sciences → RadiationFundamental Sciences → Light
Research, Standards → Research
Health Care → Health
Type Classification:
E: Emanations of other strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
