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Cuba has made tremendous strides in making the
delivery of health services more efficient. The Cuban Meteorological Institute
provides forecasts of conditions likely to induce respiratory illness. This
includes temperature, humidity, and pollen levels. Those at risk can take
preventative measures, and health practitioners and hospitals can prepare for an
influx of patients with respiratory symptoms. This reduces time lost in medical
emergencies and speeds up recovery time, which results in a more efficient work
force.
Text
by Mr Carlos Fuller, Chief Meteorologist, Belize
Meteorological Service.
Read how African
droughts have respiratory health implications in the Caribbean!
One of the weather related health issues is the ultraviolet (UV) radiation
from the Sun. Whereas UV-C rays (wavelengths of 100-280 nm) are absorbed by the
atmospheric ozone, most radiation in the UV-A range (315-400 nm) and about 10 %
of the UV-B rays (280-315 nm) reach the Earth’s surface. Both UV-A and UV-B
are of major importance to human health. The most well-known effect of UV radiation
is the reddening or burning of the skin in sunshine. Over a period of
years, exposure to radiation causes damage in the skin's connective tissues,
so-called photoageing. UV radiation increases the risk of getting skin cancer.
It also enhances the dimming of the eye's lens, which means that potential
cataracts begin to evolve at earlier ages. Strong UV radiation can also cause
inflammation of the cornea, snow blindness. A long-term exposure to UV radiation
may cause permanent damage to the cornea. UV radiation weakens the immune system
taking care of the body's defense against e.g. infection. UV radiation also
benefits health, generating vitamin D production on the skin. The required
amount of radiation is, however, quite small: an exposure of 15 minutes to the
hands and face is adequate.
Clouds reduce UV radiation reaching the surface of the
Earth. The larger and thicker the
cloud is, the more it absorbs UV-B radiation. Only thick clouds reduce UV
radiation significantly. It is, however, noteworthy that the same cloud absorbs visible light
even more, so that UV radiation is less attenuated by clouds than visible light
is.
Apart from clouds, atmospheric ozone is another factor
reducing the amount of UV radiation reaching to the surface of the Earth.
Ozone depletion has not affected UV levels in the Caribbean., though. Read
more!
The
Environment Canada forecasts UV indices for selected cities in the Caribbean.
Because the Sun zenith angle is high in the tropics, i.e. radiation travels
short distance through the atmosphere, the Caribbean solar UV-B radiation is
high throughout the year, and one needs to take precautions for health reasons:
Be SunWise!, consider the following steps:
- Limit your time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Whenever possible, seek shade.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and if possible, tightly woven, full-length
clothing.
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses.
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning salons.
Learn more:
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