Sunlight

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Adverse effects

Health

The sun's ultraviolet rays consists of UVA and UVB.[1]

  • UVA (340-340 nm) is the majority of UV radiation and causes long term sun damage. UVA1 is blocked by the sunscreen avobenzone while UVA2 is blocked by ecamsule. Ecamsule also blacks UVB.
  • UVB (290-32 nm) causes sun burn. UVB is blocked by sunscreens including para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).

Sun protection factor (SPF) ratings only measure ability to block sun burn and not the ability to prevent long term sun damage from UVB. Ecamsule is contained in Anthelios cream.

References

  1. (September 2008) "Sunsreens: an update". Med Lett Drugs Ther 50 (1294): 70–2. PMID 18772844[e]