What Factors Influence How UV Affects People?

Ultraviolet light affects us in different ways.uv light. image by Harvey Hudson from Fotolia.com

Ultraviolet radiation (commonly referred to as UV rays) can have a number of negative effects on the human body. There are several factors that can influence just how an individual is affected by UV rays though, and those factors will vary from one person to another in any setting.

Genetics

Genetics affects how people respond to UV light. Individuals who have higher concentrations of the skin pigment melanin (those with darker skin) are less affected by the sun's UV rays. An individual's genetic code also decides how fast and well damage caused by UV radiation is healed. There are also genetic factors that will shield your body from ongoing damage from UV rays; if you have the opposite genetic structure, you'll take more damage from too much UV exposure.

Environment is a factor in how UV rays affects people. For instance, clouds block a great deal of the UV rays (though not all of them) and lessen a person's exposure. Conversely, on clear days more UV rays will be pouring down. The type of land a person is on also affects UV rays exposure. White sand is reflective, so people at the beach receive more UV exposure. The more exposure you have to UV rays, the better chance you'll suffer negative effects, such as sun burns in the short term and cancer in the long term.

A person can take precautions to limit his exposure to UV rays, and reduce the negative radiation effects. Wearing light, protective clothing that covers the skin reflects more radiation and blocks the UV from reaching your skin. Wearing sun block also help reduce damage. Wearing broad brimmed hats will block the UV from your face; wearing sunglasses will block the UV from reaching and damaging your eyes, whether it's direct or reflected light.