ety for Kids

Wise School Program

EPA430-F-00-003January 2000www.epa.gov/sunwise

Air and Radiation(6205J)
y, as school bells echo 

e hallways, millions of 

the nation stream out

 into sun-filled school

d sports fields. While

ood scene, it also is one

 without proper pre

utions, could endanger

health of students. Too

 exposure to the sun’s

ultraviolet (UV) rays can be harmful to anyone’s health—particularly that of a child. In the atmosphere, the ozone layer forms ashield that protects the Earth from the sun’spowerful UV radiation. Scientists have discovered, however, that the ozone layer is thinning and allowing more UV rays to reach theEarth’s surface. Combined with current sunexposure behaviors, the thinning of the ozonelayer may increase the chance of overexposurefor adults and children. Too much exposureto UV radiation can cause serious health

problems such as skin cancer,

cataracts, and immune

system suppression. 
U.S. 

ed the 

tal and

 use of class

motes sun

tect them

innovative

ry and mid

 can take to

earn about

 also develop

ned health

n cooperation

Providing

am’s elements

hing tools or

hool activi

necessary to

le the potenevery five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their 

V-related health effects, can begin with a simple sunburn that happens 

person’s sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. 

need to be protected from overexposure to the sun. While it is true

r in dark-skinned individuals, the disease still occurs in all skin types.

alth effects, such as eye damage and immune suppression, is not depend

children must be protected.

o take some basic precautions when they’re out in the sun—such

 clothing and sunglasses, using sunscreen, and seeking shade—

rents, and other caregivers can instill life-long protective

the risk of future UV-related health problems. 

a fun and easy way to protect the health of 

ny school can participate, from single or 

assrooms to entire schools, or even school

ram is designed for kindergarten

ade learning levels, with specific

aterials available for all learning

ample of participants will be

 the SunWise Student Survey before

nting at least one of a range of SunWise

ng are some of the activities that SunWise

e to undertake:
ool Program, participants 

ng useful tools to help 

e classroom:

ricular lessons designed for

earning levels and 

kground information.

p implement sun safety

anges, and community

and UV Database–is an

 can report and interpret

and-held UV monitoring

device loaned to participating schools through the program,link to additional Web-based educational activities andresources, and correspond with otherSunWise schools. 

• Additional Materials–

games, puzzles,incentives, Webbased activities,and other itemsare being developed.

m lessons and activities.

nd data from hand-held

e SunWise Internet

ort and compare the 

y UV Index forecasts.

nts and assemblies.

• Improving school policies and structural designs to reduce

students’ exposure to the most intense UV rays and providemore shade structures on school grounds.

• Reaching out to the community by forming partnerships with

local businesses and organizations or by hosting guest speakers. 
Checking out television, radio, newspaper, and Internet weather forecasts in many cities across the country can now give you access to a powerful sun safety tool—the UV

Index. The UV Index assigns a number to the next day’s likely UVradiation levels and categorizes the level of exposure risk for peoplewho plan to be outdoors. The National Weather Service (NWS) calculates the UV Index sothat the public can schedule outdoor activities to avoid dangerousoverexposure to the sun. In addition to forecasts, you can find thedaily UV Index on the SunWise Web site at <www.epa.gov/sunwise>.The UV Index predicts UV radiation levels on a 0 to 10+ scale in thefollowing way:While it is always important to take precautions against overexposureto the sun, both children and adults should take particular care topractice sun-safe behaviors when the UV Index is moderate or higher. 
e to 

ent

from

ction

est

Always use sunscreen. Apply a sunscreen with a sun protection

factor of 15 or higher liberally, and reapply at least every

2 hours or after working, swimming, playing, or

exercising outdoors. Consult your doctor about

sunscreen use for children under 6 months.

Avoid sunlamps and tanning salons. The light

source from sunbeds and sunlamps can damage the

skin and unprotected eyes.
onitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) project.