Article Options

Presentation View
Teaching Resources

Numbers in the News: Sun Safety

Summer is nearly here. If you’re planning on having fun in the sun, remember to protect your skin from its harsh rays. Here are some facts and figures about sun safety.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

2

Types of skin-damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun: UVA rays cause wrinkles, and UVB rays cause sunburn and skin cancer

KNUD RASMUSSEN/ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY VIA GETTY IMAGES

4,000 YEARS AGO

Earliest known use of sunglasses. Indigenous peoples in the Arctic wore them to block sun glare reflecting off snow.

10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

Hours during which the sun’s UV rays tend to be the strongest in the continental U.S.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

4

Ways to protect yourself from the sun: apply sunscreen, don’t tan, seek shade, and wear protective clothing, like a hat, a long-sleeve shirt, and sunglasses

69 Percent

The percentage of U.S. adolescents ages 11 to 18 who reported at least one sunburn in the previous year

THINK ABOUT IT: What are some ways you plan to stay safe in the sun this summer?

SOURCES: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

Skills Sheets (2)
Skills Sheets (2)
Lesson Plan (1)
Text-to-Speech