![]() ![]() Because diffuse radiation does not have a single source (like the sun in beam radiation) individuals in the comfort of the shade may still be bombarded with ultraviolet radiation from many different angles. As solar rays make their journey through the Earth’s atmosphere they have the potential to interact with molecules in the air and with water – thus becoming scattered or diffuse. Diffuse radiationĭiffuse radiation, on the other hand, is the solar rays that have no definitive direction. With snow and sand having greater reflectivity, whereas surfaces such as grass and concrete reflect UV radiation significantly less. The amount of radiation reflected back upwards depends on the type of surface. So even when in the shade, UV radiation reflected from the ground could still be causing sun damage. UV radiation that makes contact with the ground can be reflected back upwards and penetrate our skin. Reflected radiation is essentially what it sounds like. When we utilize physical barriers such as umbrellas, we usually direct the umbrella towards the direction of the sun - thus gaining some protection from the beam component of the sun’s radiation. Beam radiationīeam radiation can be defined as the solar rays that have a defined direction – meaning that all the rays from the sun strike the Earth’s surface at the same angle. Solar UV radiation can be broken down into three components – beam radiation, reflected radiation, and diffuse radiation. No, Sun Umbrellas Do Not Stop Diffuse UV Radiation So even when using beach umbrellas for sun protection, one is still being bombarded with UV radiation from the sun even though they may not sense it. Though a beach umbrella reduces the amount of UV radiation that directly reaches our skin, it has almost no effects on reducing scattered/ indirect UV rays that have bounced off of other objects before getting to the skin. Taking an umbrella to the beach is a common practice among outdoor aficionados, yet it is not very well known that even in shaded areas a person is still exposed to UV radiation. ![]() However, this sense of security can mislead individuals into thinking they no longer need sunscreen or have to reapply it as long as they stay in the shade. By creating a blockade against the sun’s rays, shaded areas are cooler and provide a sense of relief from being impaled by the sun’s harsh light. Using a sun umbrella or other types of physical barriers to create shade intuitively seems like an effective way to protect ourselves from the sun. Remember – like it or not, sunscreen is your friend. Unfortunately, though it seems logical that staying in the shade when outside would be an appropriate countermeasure against the sun’s harmful rays, this could not be further from the truth. ![]() With this in mind, it’s reasonable that a person would look for other ways to protect themselves from the sun. Sun umbrella skin#As the proverbial saying goes, “Health is wealth.”Īpplying sunscreen isn’t always the most enjoyable of tasks, lathering on an interesting smelling substance that leaves your skin feeling slightly sticky really doesn’t sound all that appealing. So, when it comes to summertime and enjoying the sun - it never hurts to take the extra precaution in keeping your skin and body safe. And like most things in life – too much of a good thing can become detrimental. With summer nearly upon us, the days get longer, the weather gets warmer, we keep our beverages cooler, and most importantly, we spend more time enjoying the outdoors. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |