High Ultraviolet Index is recorded in the region

Yesterday, Sunday, a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius was recorded in La Laguna and the Ultraviolet Index (UVI) in the region registered very high and high levels between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., according to data provided by the IBEROmáforo, designed by the Universidad Iberoamericana de Torreón to know the time slots in which it is necessary to protect yourself from the sun.

Small amounts of ultraviolet radiation are necessary to produce vitamin D, but excessive exposure has negative health consequences, as it can cause skin cancer, burns, premature aging, and damage to the eyes and immune system.

At 2:02 p.m., the IUV was 9.1, in red and with very high exposure, so the recommendation to the population was to avoid sun exposure. In addition to using sunscreen (minimum SPF 30, depends on your skin color), long-sleeved shirt (dark colors preferred), long pants (dark colors preferred), hat with flap, sunglasses with UV protection and umbrella.

At 2:53 p.m., the IUV decreased to 7.4, in orange and with high exposure. At this level, the population is also asked to avoid exposing themselves to the sun since the IUV is at high values. Photoprotection measures were similar to those described above. At 3:01 p.m., the IUV was 8.0, it returned to red, with very high exposure.

The IBEROmáforo has been available since 2023 on cell phones with Android system in the Play Store and on iOS in the App Store. You can also consult the Internet page:

The IUV is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation on the Earth’s surface that is related to the effects on human skin. Predicts ultraviolet radiation levels on a scale of 1 to 11+. When there is a value of minus 2, the indicator is green and the exposure is very low while a value of 3 to 5 is yellow with low exposure and the value of 6 to 7 is high exposure and the indicator is orange. A value of 8 to 10 is very high exposure and is in red and when there is a value of more than 11 it is extremely high exposure, in purple.

The Ibero Atmospheric Monitoring System has a continuous program of monitoring the levels of ultraviolet solar radiation, which are broadcast every 15 seconds as an index of solar UV radiation (UV Index or IUV), which uses the recommendations established by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In February 2023, the educational institution presented the findings on solar radiation in La Laguna and announced that in monitoring, it has been identified that in eight of the twelve months of the year, high Ultraviolet Indices are recorded, in one scale from level 6 to 16, that is, with high, very high and extremely high exposures. The period is from March to October, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In December 2023, the radio oncology specialist, Fernando López Velázquez, said that due to physiological and work particularities, the Mexican man, and man from La Laguna, has a certain disposition to certain types of cancer, including skin cancer.

Its prevalence is related to the long days that some people have to spend outdoors, since there are jobs that require being under these conditions, receiving the sun’s rays for many hours, such as those related to construction, the field, or various industries.

Due to the characteristics of the region, it is usually found in the working age, from 25 to 45 years of age, since this is the time in which they are most exposed, but it has been found in younger people. It is a disease that affects people with light skin more.

Exhibition

What does the WHO say?

* The WHO reported that in 2020 more than 1.5 million cases of skin cancer were diagnosed in the world and more than 120 thousand deaths associated with this cause were recorded.

* In addition, it is estimated that there are 15 million people in the world who have gone blind due to cataracts and that 10% of these cases may be due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

* They highlight that excessive sun exposure in children and adolescents can contribute to skin cancer in adulthood.

Between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., the IBEROmáforo issued recommendations to protect yourself from the sun.