Long days outside in the warm glow of summer can be a serious hazard. In recent years, scientists have found that environmental pollution may deplete the earth s ozone layer that protects the surface from the sun s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Researchers also are learning more about the relationship between these invisible sun rays and various forms of skin cancer and diseases such as eye cataracts.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 900,000 new cases of the highly curable forms of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. New cases of melanoma, the most serious and life-threatening skin cancer, were expected to be 40,300 in 1997, with 7,300 cases resulting in death. Skin cancer has increased at a rate of 4 percent each year since 1973, and is 20 times higher among whites than African Americans. These trends have serious implications for farmers and others who spend much of their working hours outdoors. Sun exposure Research has shown that cumulative sun exposure is a major factor in development of skin cancer.