Posted onApril 21, 2017|Comments Off on Canadian Scientists developed the UV Index – Celebrate Earth Day and Science
The UV index (a linear scale) was developed by Canadian Scientists in 1992. Later the scale was standardized for international use by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The scale is used to help people protect their skin from sun damage (DNA damage, skin cancer, aging and immunosuppresion).
5 Fast Facts:
The UV of potentially greatest damage occupies a spectrum of wavelength 295 to 325 nm.
The shorter the wavelength the more damaging the potential for sun damage
The UV Power Spectrum (units Watts/square metre) is multiplied on a weighting curve.
The UV index can be used over the whole spectrum (erythemal action spectrum).
Environmental Canada Scientists (B. Kerr, T. McElroy and D. Wardle) developed the modern UV index. Canada was the first country to introduce official predictions of UV levels.
Comments Off on Canadian Scientists developed the UV Index – Celebrate Earth Day and Science
