Do You Really Know About UVA, UVB and UVC?

UVA

UVA is the longest wavelength, penetrates the deepest and causes the vast majority (over 95%) of UV radiation to pass through the Earth's atmosphere. This is the form of radiation that causes skin aging, like spots and wrinkles, because it does penetrate deep into the layers of the skin (through the dermis). UVA rays can instantly tan your skin and do seem to be linked to cancer. Unlike other rays, UVA rays penetrate glass and clouds, causing damage on cloudy days or through windshields.

UVB

UVB is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but still passes through (approximately 5% in total). It damages the top layer of the skin (epidermis) in as little as 15 minutes of sun exposure. The strength of UVB rays depends on the time of day and season. There is a strong link between UVB rays and skin cancer. Over time, UVB rays age the skin.

UVC

UVC rays have the shortest wavelengths. They are the most energetic and dangerous type of UV radiation. However, they are completely blocked by the Earth's atmosphere, so we don't need to worry about them from natural sources. UVC rays can only come from artificial sources. They can cause severe burns or eye damage if you are exposed to them without proper protection.

Which one is more Dangerous?

So, which UV radiation is the most dangerous? There's no good answer to this question, although it's often asked. On the one hand, UVC is the most dangerous because it is the most energetic part of the ultraviolet spectrum. However, UVC is completely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, so there really is no risk to most people.

If we choose the most dangerous based on exposure, then UVA is the clear precursor to danger. It accounts for almost all UV exposure because it is barely blocked by Earth's atmosphere. That said, it's also the shortest wavelength and doesn't cause as much long-term damage as UVB from the sun.

While only a small amount of UVB penetrates the earth, we believe it harms the average person (rather than those who improperly use artificial UVC sources) the most because it carries the highest risk of skin cancer.

How to Protect yourself

You should protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing UPF clothing and sunglasses, and blocking UV rays with umbrellas and car shades as needed.

Although UV light may be dangerous for humans, proper amount of UV light is beneficial for plants. Do you want to know more about the UV light? Please feel free to let me know.