Abstract
The absorption of ultraviolet (UV) light by stratospheric ozone is crucial to the provision of an environment suitable for terrestrial life. Ultraviolet radiation is the part of the solar spectrum with wavelengths between 240 and 400 nm. Photons at wavelengths below about 320 nm can produce photochemical damage to the cells of living organisms. Data suggesting a causative role for UV exposure in squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, cataract formation, and (as yet) poorly defined immune suppression comes from epidemiologic studies and, in some cases, clinical observation and experimental work. The author concentrates on the direct health effects of UV radiation, although the factors that lead to stratospheric ozone depletion also exert other powerful influences on the biosphere that will have less predictable direct and indirect effects on human health.
Keywords: carcinoma, cataracts, environmental health, melanoma, oncology, ozone, sunglasses, UV radiation
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Jones R. R. Ozone depletion and cancer risk. Lancet. 1987 Aug 22;2(8556):443–446. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)90972-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kripke M. L. Immunology and photocarcinogenesis. New light on an old problem. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986 Jan;14(1):149–155. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(86)70017-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kripke M. L. Impact of ozone depletion on skin cancers. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1988 Aug;14(8):853–857. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.1988.tb03589.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lerman S. Ocular phototoxicity. N Engl J Med. 1988 Dec 1;319(22):1475–1477. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198812013192208. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Links between exposure to ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer. A report of the Royal College of Physicians. J R Coll Physicians Lond. 1987 Apr;21(2):91–96. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Taylor H. R., West S. K., Rosenthal F. S., Muñoz B., Newland H. S., Abbey H., Emmett E. A. Effect of ultraviolet radiation on cataract formation. N Engl J Med. 1988 Dec 1;319(22):1429–1433. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198812013192201. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]