Lauren Wynn
is
the Program Specialist who coordinates the Georgia Farm Bureau
Safety Program.
Georgia Farm Bureau Safety Program
Many
people think a dark tan looks healthy, but in reality, skin
cancer is the most common of all cancers. The main cause of
skin cancer is overexposure to the sun.
The body's
natural defense against damaging ultra-violet radiation from
the sun is a pigment called melanin. However, even the darkest
skin doesn't contain enough melanin to prevent damage resulting
from exposure to the sun.
Outdoor
workers, such as farmers, have an increased risk of skin cancer
due to the lengths of time they spend working in the sun.
The sun's rays are brightest between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Farm work won't wait, but there are a few preventive steps
you can follow to protect your skin from skin cancer.
Fabric
provides an excellent source of protection against the sun.
Darker colors tend to block more sun. Some clothing manufacturers
are beginning to put Sun Protection Factor (SPF) ratings on
their clothes. You should look for a rating of 15 or higher.
Generally, a tighter weave of fabric gives more protection.
For example, denim jeans have a SPF of 1,700. A hat should
have a 4 inch brim all around or a broad bill and flap to
cover your ears.
Sunscreen
is the best way to protect any exposed skin. It is important
that you use the right SPF for you. There are two factors
to consider. First, how many minutes can your unprotected
skin be in the noonday sun, before it begins to redden? Second,
how many minutes will you be working in the sun? You can then
calculate the minimum SPF rating sunscreen you need to apply.
SPF
= Minutes to be spent in the sun / Minutes before skin reddens
Always
use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 15. SPF numbers
do not add up. If you apply two layers of SPF 10 sunscreen,
you still only have an SPF of 10. You should look for the
ingredients benzophenone, oxybenzone, methoxybenzone of sulfisobenzone,
or Parsol 1789. These chemicals block the UV rays that penetrate
deep into the skin. If you sweat heavily, use a waterproof
or sports sunscreen.
You should
apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside to give
it time to penetrate your skin and protect your cells. You
should use one ounce of sunscreen per application. The sun's
rays can penetrate through a thin cloud layer, so you should
wear sunscreen even if it is a cloudy day. Your lips don't
contain any melanin, so be sure to use extra protection for
them.
When
you purchase farm equipment, consider the benefits of features
such as enclosed cabs or sun shades. Your skin's health is
vitally important, so please try to protect it.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
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