SunWise Basic Information

The ozone layer forms a thin shield in the upper atmosphere, protecting life on Earth from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. In the 1980s, scientists began accumulating evidence that the ozone layer was being depleted. Depletion of the ozone layer results in increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to serious health effects, such as skin cancer, cataracts, and immune suppression.

The SunWise Program is an environmental and health education program that aims to teach the public how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun. Through the use of classroom-based, school-based, and community-based components, SunWise seeks to develop sustained sun-safe behaviors.

For more in-depth information on ozone layer depletion, UV radiation, and the health effects of UV, click on any of the links below:

You will need Adobe Reader software, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF and where to get to the free Adobe Reader.

Movies About UV Radiation

In partnership with EPA, The Weather Channel produced three short movies about the health hazards of too much exposure to UV radiation, which aired on The Weather Channel's Forecast Earth cable network series. You can view the movies using your choice of the media players listed below. (You may obtain free player software using links below the movies. EPA does not promote or endorse these players.)

Related Movies

EPA and The Weather Channel have produced other movies related to UV radiation, which are housed in other areas of the EPA Web site. Movies are available on these topics:

• Ozone Depletion - Science and Response
• Health Effects of UV Radiation
• Urban Heat Island Effect

EPA, the SHADE Foundation of America, and WeatherBug Schools have also produced a movie introducing sun safety. To see the WeatherBug Feature, entitled "Sun Safety," click on one of the links below:

• WeatherBug Feature: Sun Safety (WMV, 3.3MB)
• WeatherBug Feature: Sun Safety (MOV, 12.6 MB)

Movie Player Software

To view the movies listed above, you need to have player software on your computer for one of the movie formats mentioned. You can download player software using links to the vendor Web sites listed below. EPA does not promote or endorse these media players.

• RealPlayer
• Microsoft Windows Media Player
• Apple QuickTime Player