Significant increase in cancer-causing radiation in Europe's skies

Arab Weather - A recent study has shown that ultraviolet radiation has unexpectedly increased in some parts of central Europe over the past decades. According to the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, ultraviolet radiation in the area around the city of Dortmund in western Germany has witnessed a significant increase of more than 10% between 1997 and 2022.

The study also showed an increase in radiation around Brussels, Belgium, of about 20% during the same period. The study was published in the journal Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences.

Risks of increased ultraviolet radiation

Excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to diseases such as skin cancer, as the more frequent and intense exposure to the rays, the greater the risk of developing these diseases.

In a statement from the bureau, the study’s authors said they were surprised by the results, as they had expected a moderate increase in radiation since the late 1990s. They attributed the large increase mainly to reduced cloud cover in central Europe, but also that climate change may have contributed to the increase, leading to longer hours of sunshine and more time for UV radiation to reach the Earth.

To conduct the study, the scientists analyzed UV data from a measuring station in Dortmund and compared them with values from another measuring station near Brussels, which is located at the same latitude. The results showed that personal exposure to UV radiation may increase significantly in Germany.

Recommendations to reduce the risk of UV radiation

The study results underscore the importance of developing additional measures to address the increasing exposure to UV radiation in Europe, the office said. Important protection measures include using sunscreen, wearing long clothing, and staying in shaded areas, especially in summer. The statement also explained that UV radiation cannot be seen or felt, and is also present at times when the sun is not shining.

See also:

Ultraviolet rays.. What are they and what are the risks of exposure to them?

Why do we think we are safe from UV rays in the winter?