By Sandy Long

UV Rays and Trucking

First one needs to understand exactly what UV rays are, from the American Cancer Society.

There are 3 main types of UV rays:

• UVA rays age skin cells and can damage their DNA. These rays are linked to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but they are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers. Most tanning beds give off large amounts of UVA, which has been found to increase skin cancer risk.
• UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays. They can damage skin cells’ DNA directly, and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers.
• UVC rays have more energy than the other types of UV rays, but they don’t get through our atmosphere and are not in sunlight. They are not normally a cause of skin cancer.

Both UVA and UVB rays can damage skin and cause skin cancer. UVB rays are a more potent cause of at least some skin cancers, but based on what’s known today, there are no safe UV rays.

The strength of the UV rays reaching the ground depends on a number of factors, such as:

• Time of day: UV rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Season of the year: UV rays are stronger during spring and summer months. This is less of a factor near the equator.
• Distance from the equator (latitude): UV exposure goes down as you get further from the equator.
• Altitude: More UV rays reach the ground at higher elevations.
• Cloud cover: The effect of clouds can vary. Sometimes cloud cover blocks some UV from the sun and lowers UV exposure, while some types of clouds can reflect UV and can increase UV exposure. What is important to know is that UV rays can get through, even on a cloudy day.
• Reflection off surfaces: UV rays can bounce off surfaces like water, sand, snow, pavement, or grass, leading to an increase in UV exposure.”

Skin cancer is an occupational hazard for trucker drivers and is usually found on the left side of the face and upper body on drivers, and on the right side of passengers who ride with truckers. This is due to sitting so close to the side windows and the excessive exposure to UV rays coming through the window.

Because of this exposure, truckers need to have dermatological checks by their doctors every year and to do a self-check whenever possible. They also should use high numbered sunscreen especially on the side of the body closest to the side windows.

Skin cancer is not the only problem that can be caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays and the myth that dark skinned folks are safer from exposure is just a myth. From the World Health Organization. “Worldwide some 12 to 15 million people become blind from cataracts annually, of which up to 20% may be caused or enhanced by sun exposure according to WHO estimates. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence suggests that environmental levels of UV radiation may suppress cell-mediated immunity and thereby enhance the risk of infectious diseases and limit the efficacy of vaccinations.

“It is a popular misconception that only fair-skinned people need to be concerned about overexposure to the sun. Darker skin has more protective melanin pigment, and the incidence of skin cancer is lower in dark-skinned people. Nevertheless, skin cancers do occur with this group and unfortunately, they are often detected at a later, more dangerous stage. The risk of UV radiation-related health effects on the eye and immune system is independent of skin type.”

Due to prolonged exposure, cataract and macular degeneration can be caused by UV rays. Truckers and the folk who ride with them should invest in good UV protection sunglasses or have UV protection film added to the lenses of their glasses to protect their eyes. Of course, truckers should have an eye exam at least every two years … every year if a trucker is older, has diabetes, other health issues, or has a family history of eye problems.

UV rays are good for some things, the production of Vitamin D in the body, it can ease rickets and help cure psoriasis. It combats Seasonal Affective Disorder and keeps everything warm. However, the negatives far outweigh the positives. Five to fifteen minutes two or three times a week, and only exposing one’s hands, arms, and face to the sun is enough to glean the benefits from UV rays. Any longer and one becomes at risk.