KEY POINTS:
New Zealanders are being warned to cover up and use sunblock as levels of ultra-violet radiation reach their peak over the New Year holiday period.
"A combination of the sun being at its highest in the sky and the break-up of the ozone hole over the Antarctic makes this the worst time for ultra-violet radiation," Dr Richard McKenzie of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) said yesterday.
"And it's also the period when we tend to spend more time than usual outdoors."
Exposure to ultra-violet radiation, or UVR, is the main cause of the most common form of skin cancer, melanoma, in New Zealand.
Children are particularly vulnerable and risk contracting skin cancer later in life as a result of getting sunburn.
The SunSmart campaign is urging parents to protect their children from the harmful effects of the sun while outdoors enjoying the warmer weather and daylight saving.
"Over-exposure to the sun's ultra-violet radiation is the cause of more than 90 per cent of all skin cancer - making prevention crucial," said the Health Sponsorship Council's SunSmart manager, Wayde Beckman.
"Parents need to make sure their kids always Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.
"Teaching children about sun safety is the key to reducing the risk of skin cancer in the future. Never let your kids get sunburned. Make sure they have protective gear on, such as a shirt with collar and sleeves, from 11am until 4pm and slip into the shade, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on a pair of sunglasses," he said.
Dr McKenzie said although the ozone hole appeared smaller than last year, ultra-violet radiation rose at this time of the year.
"Even though the sun is at its highest on December 21, ozone levels continue to decrease throughout the summer. So maximum UV intensities usually occur in the Christmas and New Year period. Ozone acts like a giant shield against the sun's harmful radiation and is less able to protect us from ultra-violet radiation at this time of the year."
Unlike tropical countries that have a relatively constant UVR level, New Zealand has a huge variation between summer minimum and winter maximum levels.
- NZPA
