In the past decade, clinical and epidemiologic data have demolished the myth that a tan is a sign of good health. In 1995, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization said that the ozone hole covers 3.86 million miles over Antarctica, an area about half the size of Europe.
Many newer sunscreens absorb and filter both types of UV rays.
Researchers are examining suspicious correlations between the diminished ozone layer and rising skin cancer rates. For example, epidemic increases in skin cancer rates are occurring at far northern and far southern latitudes where ozone depletion is greatest.