Ultraviolet rays cause sunburn and x-rays can penetrate deep inside our bodies. Gamma rays kill cancer cells. What does this show about how living material is affected by the shortest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum?
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Answer:
What are some health effects of exposure to UV radiation?
Some UV exposure is essential for good health. It stimulates vitamin D production in the body. In medical practice, one example is UV lamps can be used for treating psoriasis (a condition causing itchy, scaly red patches on the skin).
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation is associated with different types of skin cancer, sunburn, accelerated skin aging, as well as cataracts and other eye diseases. The severity of the effect depends on the wavelength (see Figure 2), intensity, and duration of exposure.
Effect on the skin
The shortwave UV radiation (UV-C) poses the maximum risk. The sun emits UV-C but it is absorbed in the ozone layer of the atmosphere before reaching the earth. Therefore, UV-C from the sun does not affect people. Some man-made UV sources also emit UV-C. However, the regulations concerning such sources restrict the UV-C intensity to a minimal level and may have requirements to install special guards or shields and interlocks to prevent exposure to the UV.
The medium wave UV (UV-B) causes skin burns, erythema (reddening of the skin) and darkening of the skin. Prolonged exposures increase the risk of skin cancer.