Why is the sun in NZ so dangerous?- There is less ozone here to block burning UV rays.
- Earth's orbit takes it closer to the sun during the southern summer than during the northern summer.
- There is less pollution in NZ to block the UV rays.
The sun's burning strength is measured by the UV index. The highest possible UV index at sea-level is about 20. Any reading higher than 10 is extreme in terms of skin-damage.The UV Index in the Mediterranean in high-summer reaches 9 or 10. In New Zealand the index often exceeds 12. In the far North, 14 is reached - risky even for people with naturally brown skin. Even in winter, cloud protection is only 50%. New Zealand has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world with almost 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Be safe - the Skin Surgery Clinic offers free skin cancer checks.
Being Sun Wise- Minimise your exposure to the sun at midday and between the hours of 11.00am and 4.00pm.
- Apply sunscreen with at least a SPF30 or higher to all areas of the body which are exposed to the sun.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days.
- Reapply sunscreen after swimming or perspiring.
- Wear clothing that covers your body and shades your face.
- Avoid sunlamps or tanning beds.
- Sunscreen should be your last line of defence after a hat, glasses, clothing and dense shade.
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