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Time - Man of the Year
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Time_Man_of_the_Year_Compact_Publishing_3YX-Disc-1_Compact_Publishing_1993.iso
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1992-10-19
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ENVIRONMENT, Page 62COVER STORIESHats On!
Ozone depletion is cause for caution, but it's no reason to
stay barricaded inor put on an astronaut suit before venturing
outside. Excessive exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays
has always been dangerous; the ozone problem just adds to the
risk. Says NASA's Michael Kurylo: "We're not talking about a
single exposure to a death ray. It takes repeated exposure over
long periods of time."
Even if there were no atmospheric damage, an estimated
one-sixth of all Americans would still develop skin cancer
during their lifetime. Most cases are curable, if detected
early. The 4% to 8% loss of ozone over the past decade could
raise the risk at least 15%. A significant increase in
cataracts, which now afflict 1 of every 10 Americans, could also
occur.
As the ozone depletion gets worse, health risks will rise,
but the odds of getting cancer or cataracts can be dramatically
reduced by following guidelines that doctors recommended long
before ozone depletion became a big issue. Their suggestions:
-- When out in the sun for prolonged periods, wear
protective clothing. That means choosing fabrics that have a
tight weave and donning a wide-brimmed hat. A basecap is not
adequate because it leaves the delicate rims of the ears
exposed.
-- In summer, when comfort calls for shorts and T shirts,
use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of
at least 15.
-- Minimize the time spent in the sun between 10 a.m. and
3 p.m.
-- Wear sunglasses when outdoors in bright sunlight. Ask
for ones that are treated to absorb UV radiation or that meet
the American National Standards Institute Guidelines for eye
wear. Poorly designed sunglasses that do not block UV rays could
do more harm than good. Under dark lenses, the pupils dilate,
making it easier for UV light to damage the delicate membrane
of the retina.