Subject: Middle-Latitude Ozone Depletion Increases Health Risks
/* Written 8:40 AM Dec 21, 1995 by nsundt in climate.news */
According to the National Cancer Institute, between 1973 and 1992 the incidence of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, increased faster than any other cancer among caucasians in the US. Now accounting for 3% of cancers diagnosed nationwide, the American Academy of Dermatology calls melanoma "an undeclared epidemic."
This alarming trend may persist or even accelerate for at least one reason: stratospheric ozone is being depleted, allowing additional damaging ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation to penetrate into the lower atmosphere. UV-B radiation increases the risk not just of melanoma, but also of non-melanoma skin cancers, eye disease and infectious diseases.
According to the latest __Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion__ issued by the United Nations and the US Government, human-influenced ozone-depletion may peak around 1998 and will persist well into the 21st century. For the US and other mid- latitude countries of the Northern hemisphere, ozone losses during summer and fall months may peak at 6-7% relative to ozone concentrations in the 1960s. Winter/spring depletion could peak at nearly twice those levels.
Other factors remaining constant (not necessarily the case), such losses would result in comparable percentage increases in UV-B radiation. As the level of radiation increases, health problems may increase even more rapidly. Some evidence suggests, for example, that increases in UV-B exposure can cause disproportionately large increases in non-melanoma skin cancer.
Alternatively, people may change their lifestyles to limit exposure to UV-B or otherwise minimize the health risks. Many such measures are sensible even in the absence of ozone depletion.
One thing people can do is to monitor UV levels. "UV Indices" are reported daily by the National Weather Service and widely disseminated by the media. When the UV index is high, individuals may limit time in the sun or cover skin with clothing, hats or sun-block. Sun-blocks are rated on a scale called the Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sun-block with an SPF of at least 15.
Finally, people can familiarize themselves with UV-B health hazards and early symptoms of cancer and other medical-problems related to UV-B exposure. Information on skin cancer is freely available from the __American Academy of Dermatology__ (Tel: +1 708 330 0230), the __American Cancer Society__ (Tel: +1 800 ACS 2345) and the __National Cancer Institute__ (Tel: +1 800 422 6237).
__American Academy of Dermatology__ 930 N. Meacham Road PO Box 4014 Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014 Tel: +1 708 330 0230. World Wide Web: http://www.derm-infonet.com/
__American Cancer Society__ Atlanta, Georgia Tel: +1 800 ACS 2345 World Wide Web: http://www.cancer.org
__National Cancer Institute__ Building 31, Room 10A24 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 World Wide Web: http://wwwicic.nci.nih.gov
__Photobiology Online__. A cooperative presentation of the European and American Societies for Photobiology. Located on the World Wide Web at http://www.kumc.edu/ASP/.
__US Environmental Protection Agency__ World Wide Web: http://www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/ind ex.html (__Stratospheric Ozone Protection Home Page__). Includes links to pages on the __UV Index__ ("What is the UV Index, how to protect yourself and your kids from the sun") and on __Ozone Depletion Science__ (including a section on heath effects).
__US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service__ Ultraviolet Index via the World Wide Web: http://iwin.nws.noa a.gov/iwin/fcst/us/ultraviolet.html For information on health issues related to the UV Index contact the Environmental Protection Agency at +1 800 296 1996 or the Centers for Disease Control at +1 404 488 4347.
American Academy of Dermatology, __National Conference on Environmental Hazards to the Skin, 15-16 October 1992__ (Schaumburg, Illinois: American Academy of Dermatology, 1994).
American Academy of Dermatology, __Skin Cancer -- An Undeclared Epidemic__ (Schaumburg, Illinois: American Academy of Dermatology, 1994). Available on the World Wide Web at http://www.derm-infonet.com/SkinCa .html.
American Academy of Dermatology, __Sun Protection for Children; A Parents' Guide__ (Schaumburg, Illinois: American Academy of Dermatology, 1993). Available on the World Wide Web at .
American Academy of Dermatology, __The Sun and Your Skin__ (Schaumburg, Illinois: American Academy of Dermatology, 1990). Available on the World Wide Web at http://www.derm-infonet.com/SunSkin.html.
American Cancer Society, __Skin Cancer__ (Atlanta, Georgia: American Cancer Society, [undated]). Available on the World Wide Web at http://www.cancer.org/skin.html.
American Cancer Society, __Why You Should Know About Melanoma__ (Atlanta, Georgia: American Cancer Society, 1985)
Arris, Lelani, "Summer UV Protection -- What's A Sun Lover To Do?" __Global Environmental Change Report__, VII (10): 1-3 (26 May 1995).
Associated Press, "Solar Index's Days May be Numbered," __Washington Post__: A 19 (11 April 1995).
Blakeslee, Sandra, "Discoveries on the Makings of a Suntan Reveal How Cancer Lurks in the Wings," __New York Times__: C 13 (7 December 1994).
Bojkov, Rumen D., __Review of the State of the Ozone Layer: Scientifc Uncertainty and the Ozone Regime__ (Geneva, Switzerland: World Meteorological Organization, 1995), Abstract of lecture delivered on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Austria Conference Center, Vienna, 4 December 1995.
Brody, Jane E., "Protection from the Sun: When a Little Isn't Enough," __New York Times__: C 14 (14 June 1995).
Brody, Jane E., "The ABC's of Melanoma," __New York Times__: C 11 (21 June 1995).
Chivian, E., M. McCalley et al (eds.), __Critical Conditions, Human Health, and the Environment__ (Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1993). For a brief summary and ordering information on the World Wide Web, go to http://www- mitpress.mit.edu/mitp/recent-books/environ/critical.html.
Cloud, John A., "UV Index: Catching Bad Rays; Forecasters Now Able to Warn Sunbathers," __Washington Post__: A 3 (29 June 1994).
Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), __Health Effects from Increased Exposure to Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) Radiation due to Stratospheric Ozone Depletion__ (World Wide Web: http://www.ciesin.org/TG/HH/ozh lthhm.html) and __Overview of Health Effects from Increased Ultraviolet-B Exposure due to Ozone Depletion__ (World Wide Web: http://www.ciesin.org/TG/HH/ozov er.html), undated.
de Gruijl, Frank R., "Impacts of a Projected Depletion of the Ozone Layer," __Consequences__, 1 (2): 13-21 (Summer 1995). Available on the World Wide Web at http://www.gcrio.o rg/CONSEQUENCES/summer95/impacts.html. Includes a short list of recommended reading.
"Doctors Push for Stricter Sunscreen Guidelines," __New York Times__: 15 (29 May 1994).
Greenpeace International, __Our Radiant Planet; The Dangers of UV-B Radiation for Human Health and the Global Biosphere__ (Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Greenpeace International, 1995), summary available on the World Wide Web at http://www.greenpeace. org/~ozone/radiant/index.html.
Kripke, Margaret L. (Vivian L. Smith Chair in Immunology, Professor and Chairman, Department of Immunology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas), __Human Health Effects of Ultraviolet-B Radiation__, testimony presented to the US House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, hearing on __Scientific Integrity and Public Trust: The Science Behind Federal Policies and Mandates. Case Study 1 -- Stratospheric Ozone: Myths and Realities__, 20 September 1995.
Longstreth, J.D., F.R. de Gruijl, M.L. Kripke, Y. Takizawa and J.C. van der Leun, "Effects of Increased Ultraviolet Radiation on Human Health," __Ambio__, 24 (3): 153-165 (May 1995)
Lubin, Dan and Elsa H. Jensen, "Effects of Clouds and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion on Ultraviolet Radiation Trends," __Nature__, 377: 710-713 (26 October 1995).
Madronich, Sasha, "The Radiation Equation," __Nature__, 377: 682- 683 (26 October 1995).
Mahaney, Francis X., "Nocturnal Animals Help Shed Light on Human Melanoma," __Journal of the National Cancer Institute__, 87 (21): (1 November 1995). Available on the World Wide Web at http://wwwicic.nci.ni h.gov/jnci/iss8721/87-1584.html.
Makhijani, Arjun and Kevin Gurney, __Mending the Ozone Hole; Science, Technology, and Policy__ (Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1995), ISBN number 0-262-13308-3. See Chapter II, The Effects of Ozone Depletion. For a brief summary of the book, see http://www- mitpress.mit.edu/mitp/recent-books/environ/mending- ozone.html. US Price: $35.00 (not including postage). May be purchased from The MIT Press, 55 Hayward St, Cambridge, MA 02141. Tel: +1 800-356-0343 (US callers only) or +1 617-625-8569. European callers may call (0)1243 829 121 (England). The book also may be ordered electronically via the World Wide Web at http://www-mitpress.mit.edu/ or via E-mail at mitpress-order- inq@mit.edu. Electronic orders must be paid with a credit card.
Marks, Peter, "`Don't Bother Me: I'm Catching Some Rays," __New York Times__: E 6 (2 July 1995).
National Cancer Institute, __Melanoma__: (September 1995). Available on the World Wide Web via the __CancerNet__ at http://wwwici c.nci.nih.gov/clinpdq/pif/Melanoma_Patient.html.
National Cancer Institute, __Skin Cancer__: (September 1995). Available on the World Wide Web via the __CancerNet__ at http://www icic.nci.nih.gov/clinpdq/pif/Skin_cancer_Patient.html
National Cancer Institute, __Prevention of Skin Cancer__: (May 1995). Available on the World Wide Web via the __CancerNet__ http://w wwicic.nci.nih.gov/clinpdq/screening/Prevention_of_skin_cancer.html
National Cancer Institute, __Screening for Skin Cancer__: (May 1995). On the World Wide Web via Cancernet
National Public Radio (NPR), __Talk of the Nation__, discussion of ozone depletion with S. Fred Singer (Science and Environmental Policy Project, Fairfax, Virginia), Sherwood Rowland (University of California, Irvine) U.C. Irvine) and Edward DeFabo (George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC), 28 July 1995 (Washington, DC: National Public Radio, 1995), sound cassette, 1 hour. Available for $12.95 + $2.50 (domestic postage) from NPR Audience Services, 635 Massachusetts, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Tel: +1 202 414 3232. Fax: +1 202 414 3046.
Office of Environmental Citizenship, Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada, __A Primer on Ozone Depletion -- The Environmental Citizenship Series__ (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Environment Canada, 1995). Available on the World Wide Web at http://atlenv.bed.ns.doe.ca/udo/ depl.html.
Ozone Action, __UV-B Radiation; Effects of Ozone Depletion__, available on the World Wide Web at http://www.essential.org /orgs/Ozone_Action/2.html
Mahaney, Francis X., "Nocturnal Animals Help Shed Light on Human Melanoma," __Journal of the National Cancer Institute__, 87 (21): (1 November 1995). Available on the World Wide Web at http://wwwicic.nci.ni h.gov/jnci/iss8721/87-1584.html.
Roses, Daniel F., Stephen L. Gumport, Matthew N. Harris, and Alfred W. Kopf, __The Diagnosis and Management of Common Skin Cancers__ (Atlanta, Georgia: American Cancer Society, 1989), 89- 50M-No. 3373-PE.
Schein, O.D. et al., "Ocular and Dermatologic Health Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure from the Ozone Hole in Southern Chile," __American Journal of Public Health__, 85 (4): 546-550 (April 1995).
"Stat Bite: Trends in Melanoma Incidence," __Journal of the National Cancer Institute__, 87 (20): (1 November 1995). Available on the World Wide Web at http://wwwicic.nci.ni h.gov/jnci/iss8720/statbi20.jpg.
Strange, Carolyn J., "Thwarting Skin Cancer with Sun Sense," __FDA Consumer__, 10-14 (July-August 1995).
"Tan Worshippers May be Giving Skin Lots More than Glow," __Wall
