GAW Research on Solar Ultraviolet Radiation

 

The ozone layer protects us against harmful solar ultraviolet radiation

Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs some of the Sun’s biologically harmful ultraviolet radiation. Most of the short-wave radiation (so-called UV-B) is absorbed by the ozone layer, whereas long-wave UV (so-called UV-A) passes through the ozone layer and reaches the ground.

 

 

UV index

The intensity of UV radiation can be expressed by the UV index. WMO has issued, in collaboration with WHO and other organisations, a guide on how to report solar UV radiation to the public. Awareness on how to behave in the sun is important for curbing the rapid increase in skin cancer oberved in many populations. Click on the image to download the report.

 

 

 

 

 

Links to useful web sites on solar ultraviolet radiation

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/uv_index/uv_information.shtml

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/uviguide.pdf

http://www.temis.nl/uvradiation/UVindex.html