UV protection update for May to August
Date published: 2009-06-11 11:02:44
Vitamin D helps to develop and maintain healthy bones and UV radiation from the sun is one of the best sources for vitamin D. UV levels are generally low (below 3) in Victoria from May to August so sun protection is not needed unless you are in alpine areas or near highly reflective surfaces such as snow or water.
To get enough sun over the winter months, expose faces, arms and hands (or equivalent area of skin) to the sun for two to three hours over the week. Adults and children with naturally very dark skin may need three to six times these exposure times.
There are groups of people in the community who are at risk of vitamin D deficiency including people with naturally very dark skin, babies and infants of vitamin D deficient mothers (especially breastfed babies), people who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons, patients with osteoporosis and older Victorians and people who are housebound or in institutional care
If in doubt, vitamin D levels can be checked through a blood test, and inadequate levels can be easily treated with supplements. People should not try to boost their vitamin D levels at any time of the year through excessive UV exposure or through using solariums
Check UV levels through the SunSmart UV Alert in the weather section of daily newspapers or on the Bureau of Meteorology, which now publishes UV forecasts for Alpine areas.
See online for more information and resources for community members.
For more information, please contact:
Marnie Wilson
Tel: (613) 9635 5148
Web: http://www.sunsmart.com.au/vitamin_d
Email: SunSmart@cancervic.org.au
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