JA
SunWise
a program that radiates good ideas
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Grades 6-8
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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6-8
SunWise
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Be SunWise
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6-8
SunWise
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What do you
know about the
Sun?
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6-8
SunWise
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The Sun
Helpful
Keeps Us Warm
Helps Plants Grow
Harmful
Causes Sunburns
Makes Our Skin Wrinkle
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SunWise
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Helpful and Harmful Effects of Sunlight
Helpful
Keeps Us Warm
Vitamin D Synthesis
Introduction
6-8
Harmful
Produces Suntan and Sunburn
Effects Our Immune System
Help Plants Grow
Causes Skin Cancer
Kills Germs
Photosensitivity
Makes Us Feel Good
Provides Light To See By
Makes Your Skin Wrinkle
Causes Eye Damage
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The Sun…
…is essential for life on
Earth.
It helps plants to grow,
and provides warmth and
light.
Introduction
6-8
Sunlight also helps people
to be happy and healthy.
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The Sun…
…produces light and warmth
but also Ultraviolet (UV)
radiation. UV radiation
cannot be seen or felt.
It is UV radiation, not the
warmth or brightness of the
sun that causes changes to
skin color, damage to eyes,
and other bad health effects.
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SunWise
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Sun Safe
Behaviors
SunWise
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SunWise
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The Ozone Layer…
…is a thin shield high up in the sky. It
protects life on Earth from the sun's
ultraviolet (UV) rays.
In the 1980s, scientists began finding
the ozone being depleted allowing
more UV radiation to reach the
Earth's surface.
Introduction
6-8
The level of UV radiation that reaches
the Earth’s surface can vary,
depending on a variety of factors.
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Introduction
6-8
UV radiation levels vary
depending on:
 Time of day
 Time of year
 Latitude
 Altitude
 Weather Conditions
 Environment-Reflection
 Stratospheric Ozone
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UV Radiation
UV Radiation
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How do we measure UV
radiation levels?
11+
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2
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Introduction
6-8
We use the UV Index Scale.
Reported on a scale of 1 -11+.
Take special care when the
UV Index is 5-6 or higher.
UV
index
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The Burning Facts…
There is no such thing as a healthy
suntan.
Introduction
6-8
 UVA rays –premature Aging
 UVB rays –cause of sunBurn
 Skin type affects the degree some
people burn.
 Use Sunscreen with SPF of 15 or
more.
 SPF 30 is NOT twice as protective
as SPF 15.
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How Can You
Become
SunWise?
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Health Effects
6-8
Limit Time in
the Midday Sun
Wear
Sunglasses
Seek Shade
Use Sunscreen
Cover Up
Avoid Tanning
Parlors
Wear a Hat
Watch for
the UV Index
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SunWise
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Limit Time
in the Midday
Sun
The sun’s rays are strongest between
10 am and 4 pm.
Introduction
6-8
To the extent possible, limit exposure
to the sun during these hours.
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Seek Shade
Staying under cover is one of the
best ways to protect yourself from
the sun.
Introduction
6-8
But remember, shade structures do
not offer complete sun protection.
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Cover Up
Introduction
6-8
Wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting,
and full-length clothing is a good way
to protect your skin from the sun’s
UV rays.
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Use
Sunscreen
Introduction
6-8
Use sunscreen of SPF 15+ liberally
and reapply every 2 hours, or after
working, swimming, playing, or
exercising outdoors.
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SunWise
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Wear a Hat
A hat with a wide brim offers good
sun protection for your eyes, ears,
face, and the back of your neck.
Introduction
6-8
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SunWise
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Wear
Sunglasses
Introduction
6-8
Sunglasses that provide 99 to 100
percent UVA and UVB protection will
greatly reduce sun exposure that can
lead to cataracts and other eye
damage.
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SunWise
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Avoid Tanning
Parlors
The light source from sunbeds and
sunlamps damages the skin and
unprotected eyes. It is a good idea
to avoid artificial sources of UV light.
Introduction
6-8
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Sun Safety Action Steps
Watch for
the UV Index
Introduction
6-8
The UV Index provides important
information to help you plan your
outdoor activities in ways that prevent
overexposure to the sun. The UV
Index is issued daily across the United
States.
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Are You
SunWise?
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True or False?
You can get
sunburned
on a cloudy
day.
Introduction
6-8
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True or False?
You can get
sunburned
on a cloudy
day.
TRUE
Introduction
6-8
Even on an overcast day, 30
to 60 percent of the sun’s
rays can reach the Earth’s
surface.
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SunWise
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True or False?
You only need to
wear sunscreen
when you are at
the beach.
Introduction
6-8
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SunWise
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True or False?
You only need to
wear sunscreen
when you are at
the beach.
FALSE
Introduction
6-8
You do not have to be
actively sunbathing to get a
damaging dose of the sun.
Everyday exposure counts!
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True or False?
Sunscreen
Sunscreen with a
SPF of LESS than
15 is enough to
protect my skin.
SPF 8
Introduction
6-8
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SunWise
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True or False?
Sunscreen
Sunscreen with a
SPF of LESS than
15 is enough to
protect my skin.
SPF 15
FALSE
Introduction
6-8
Use Sunscreen with SPF 15
or Higher. Remember, an
ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure.
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True or False?
My skin doesn’t get
sunburned, so I don’t
need to worry about
protecting myself
from overexposure to
the sun.
Introduction
6-8
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True or False?
My skin doesn’t get
sunburned, so I don’t
need to worry about
protecting myself
from overexposure to
the sun.
FALSE
Introduction
6-8
Skin cancer and other bad
effects from the sun can
affect any person,
regardless of skin color.
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Whatever You Do… Be SunWise!
Introduction
6-8
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SunWise
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SunWise
a program that radiates good ideas
www.epa.gov/sunwise
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
34
6-8
SunWise