As many as 60,000 people a year die from too much sun, warns
the World Health Organization. The bulk of the deaths are from skin cancers
caused by excess exposure to the sun''s harmful rays, ultraviolet radiation, say
WHO. UVR also causes sunburn, triggers cold sores and ages the skin, according
to its report, the first to outline the global health burden of sun exposure.
Simple measures, such as covering up when in the sun, could cut the deaths.Dr
Maria Neira, Director for Public Health and the Environment at WHO, said:
"We all need some sun, but too much sun can be dangerous - and even
deadly. "Fortunately, diseases from UV such as malignant melanomas, other
skin cancers and cataracts are almost entirely preventable through simple
protective measures." Of the 60,000 deaths, 48,000 are caused by malignant
melanomas and 12,000 by other skin cancers, the report Global Burden of Disease
of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation estimates. More than 1.5 million
"disability-adjusted life years" or DALYS - a measure of the loss of
full functioning due to disease and death - are lost every year due to sun
exposure, WHO believes. WHO and the World Tourism Organization of the United
Nations are urging people to be extra-vigilant when out in the sun to protect
themselves from UVR Everyone is exposed to UVR from the sun. Small amounts are
beneficial to health, and play an essential role in the production of vitamin D
by the skin. However, overexposure to UVR is associated with a variety of
serious and deadly health problems.