UV-INDEX

Ultraviolet radiation is measured and reported as the UV-Index, a standardised method developed by the World Health Organisation. The UV-Index is forecast and reported daily, and is an indication of the maximum level of UVR reaching ground level on that day.

What is Ultra-Violet Radiation?

The sun emits electromagnetic radiation, sometimes called solar radiation. When solar radiation reaches the earth's surface, it is mostly made up of visible light and infrared radiation, which can be felt as heat.

But there is also another kind of radiation - an invisible, dangerous type of radiation that can cause damage to our skin, undetected by our senses. This is known as ultraviolet radiation or UVR.

Depending on its wavelength, ultraviolet radiation is classified into three groups:

UVA - contributes to wrinkles and premature ageing of the skin, and is also implicated as one cause of skin cancer.
UVB - this type of radiation is more dangerous than UVA and is implicated as the major cause of skin cancer, sunburn and cataracts.
UVC - this extremely dangerous form of UVR is absorbed by the atmosphere and doesn't usually reach the earth's surface.