Alphabet soup: Do letters like UPF and UV sound like alphabet soup? Here’s a glossary of skin protection terms:
UVR or ultraviolet radiation: comprises long-wave (UVA) and short-wave (UVB) rays. Both can penetrate glass and clothing. Their effects are cumulative, leading to skin cancer, skin aging and eye damage.
UV Index: Developed by the National Weather Service and Environmental Protection Agency to forecast the expected risk of overexposure to the sun. Intensity levels vary from 1 to 11-plus with the higher numbers indicating increased risk. A daily index by ZIP code is available at the SunWise Web site: www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html .
SPF or Sun Protection Factor: Numbers rate the protection provided by the various sunscreens. The higher the SPF number, the greater the degree of protection.
UPF or Ultraviolet Protection Factor: The clothing equivalent to the SPF numbers for sunscreens. The numbers can run from 0 to 50+. The higher the number, the greater the degree of protection.
Associated Press
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