Ultraviolet index

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Ultraviolet Index

The Ultraviolet Index or UV Index (pronounced: /ˌʌltrəˈvaɪəlɪt ˈɪndɛks/) is an international standard measurement of the strength of sunburn-producing ultraviolet (UV) radiation at a particular place and time. The scale was developed by Canadian scientists in 1992, and then adopted and standardized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Etymology

The term "Ultraviolet Index" is derived from the words "ultraviolet", which is a type of electromagnetic radiation, and "index", which refers to an indicator or measure of something. The word "ultraviolet" comes from Latin ultra meaning "beyond" and violet referring to the color, indicating that ultraviolet light has a frequency beyond that of visible violet light.

Description

The UV Index is designed to enable the public to take steps to protect themselves from the harmful effects of UV radiation, which can lead to skin cancer and cataracts. The index is a linear scale, with higher values representing a greater risk of sunburn, which is caused by UV radiation.

The UV Index is calculated using a number of factors including the angle of the sun, cloud cover, altitude, and ozone concentration. The index is usually reported alongside local weather forecasts.

Related Terms

  • Ultraviolet: Electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays.
  • Sunburn: A form of radiation burn that affects living tissue, such as skin, that results from an overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun.
  • Skin cancer: The abnormal growth of skin cells most often develops on skin exposed to the sun.
  • Cataracts: A clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision, often related to aging or overexposure to UV radiation.
  • Ozone layer: A layer in the Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules, which absorbs most of the Sun's high-frequency ultraviolet light.

External links

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