BfS explains intensity of UV radiation

Website for UV radiation prognosis

05/01/2014

The intensity of UV radiation differs considerably from day to day. Accordingly, the risk of skin cancer also varies. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) therefore offers a UV forecast on its website from April to September, which clearly indicates whether sun protection is required or not when staying outdoors.

„The trend the browner the more beautiful leads to annually about 230.000 skin cancer new cases in Germany alone - tendency rising“, reports the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) in its current press release. Adequate sunscreen is a key factor in reducing skin cancer risk. From when the appropriate protective measures have to be provided, the BfS website can be used to track the UV index for the next three days. If the index exceeds three, the BfS recommends that you take precautions.

„The best sunscreen is of course the clothes“, explained Anja Lutz, spokeswoman for the BfS. The Federal Office recommends „wide, comfortable clothes“, preferably „together with a hat for the head and face.“ Also sunglasses are advised, with only glasses with the hint „100 percent UV protection“ or „UV 400“ provide adequate protection and the glasses should also fit tightly to the side of the head. All uncovered skin surfaces are recommended by the BfS from a UV index of three to be generously and regularly protected by a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.

The UV forecast of the BfS can be viewed at the Internet address "www.bfs.de/uv-prognose" and is updated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (Fp)

Picture: Rainer Sturm