Sun Safety

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of energy that you cannot see or feel but can affect your health. UV radiation comes from the sun as well as from tanning beds and lamps.

Damage from exposure to UV radiation increases with exposure. Health effects include:

• Tanning of the skin
• Burns to the skin
• Burns to the eye
• Weakening of your immune system
• Eye cataracts
• Cancer of the skin and/or eyes

For more information on UV radiation and its health effects, see the Government of Canada's Health Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation webpage.

The strength of the sun's rays is measured and grouped with different levels in Environment Canada's UV Index. Protection from the sun is required when the forecast is for an index of 3 or higher. The UV Index is also found in weather forecasts on the radio, TV, or on free phone apps.

Cancer is a disease that occurs when the cells of the body are damaged, causing them to grow out of control. Skin cancer is one cancer that is on the rise, and is the most common form of cancer in Canada.

Skin cancer does not discriminate based on the colour of your skin. Everyone is at risk for getting skin cancer from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from tanning beds. Additional factors such as your family history, physical characteristics, sun exposure habits, particularly in childhood and in the workplace, and medication can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

The good news is that skin cancer and eye-related disorders are highly preventable by taking steps to protect yourself and your family. See the section below on protection for yourself and your loved ones.

To learn more about skin cancer visit the American Academy of Dermatology website.

Children are more vulnerable to damage from the sun. They love to spend time outside, but young eyes and skin are very sensitive to the harmful effects from the sun. A person's risk for developing melanoma skin cancer is strongly associated with the amount or degree of sun exposure they experience in childhood or their teenage years, even though the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation may not appear until later in life.

Learn more about sun safety for children on the Health Canada website.

Outdoor workers are at a high risk of damage from the sun. Adults and youth who work outside for two hours or more in the middle of the day have a higher than average risk of getting eye damage and skin cancer.

Outdoor workers can include:

• Service industries such as landscaping, window cleaning, roofing, and painting
• Construction, farming, forestry, orchards, and winery operations
• Recreation and tourism such as lifeguards, sports, tour guides and camp counsellors
• Postal and police services
• Truck drivers and delivery people

For more information on outdoor workers and sun protection, visit the Sun Safety at Work website.

You may think a tan looks healthy, but a tan is actually a sign that ultraviolet (UV) radiation has already damaged your skin. When the tan fades, the damage is still there.

A tan from the sun's rays or under lights in a tanning salon will damage your skin and cause other negative health effects, including an increased risk of skin cancer. Using indoor tanning devices before age 35 increases the risk of melanoma skin cancer by 75%.

Did you know that it is illegal for people under 18 to use tanning beds in Ontario?

The Skin Cancer Prevention Act (Tanning Beds), 2013 bans youth under 18 from using tanning beds. As youth are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation, this law aims to reduce the likelihood of youth being exposed to artificial UV radiation at a young age.

For information on tanning and its effects on your health, visit Health Canada's website.

When the UV Index is 3 or higher, protect your skin as much as possible.

• Seek shade or bring your own shade (e.g. an umbrella). Babies under one year of age need to be kept out of direct sunlight
• Wear sunglasses or prescription eye glasses year round, even when it is cloudy, particularly around sand, water, and even snow
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and loose clothing that covers as much skin as possible
• For anyone over six months of age, apply and reapply sunscreen that is at least SPF 30, and labelled "broad spectrum" and "water-resistant" on all exposed areas of the skin. Make sure to reapply sunscreen and lip balm especially after swimming or sweating. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under six months of age
• Between April and September, whenever possible, plan outdoor activities for before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m.

Do not deliberately try to get a suntan, and avoid getting a sunburn.

For information on babies and sun protection, see Health Canada's sun safety tips for parents webpage.

Did you know that most people do not use sunscreen correctly? They either don't put enough on or put it on too late. Putting sunscreen on when you're already outside (such as when you're at the beach) is too late. Remember, when the UV Index is high (8 or above), it takes less than 15 minutes for your skin to start burning.

For information on choosing and applying sunscreen, visit the American Academy of Dermatology's How to Apply Sunscreen webpage.

Sunscreen safety

Sunscreen is safe to use. Health Canada regulates the safety, effectiveness, and quality of sunscreens in Canada. Sunscreen products are classified as drugs and must meet the requirements in Canada's Food and Drugs Act before they may be imported, advertised, or sold in this country.

There have been no published studies showing that sunscreen is toxic to humans or hazardous to human health.

Shade is considered one of the best approaches for reducing ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.

Shade can come in different forms including natural, built, and portable shade, or a combination of these:

• Natural shade is shade provided by trees, multi-stemmed shrubs and climbing plants
• Built shade is shade provided by a permanent structure standing alone or attached to a building. Examples include arbors, pergolas, gazebos, retractable awnings, or shade sails
• Portable shade is shade provided by pop-up tents, temporary shade sails/tarps, canopy tents, and umbrellas

Good shade also provides protection from the side, and not just overhead, to protect against scattered and reflected UV radiation that may come from different surfaces (e.g. sand, concrete, water, snow).

For more information on assessing and creating shade or reducing reflected UV radiation in your outdoor space, see the Shade page.

Children spend a lot of time at school when sun protection is needed. Schools can create a sun-safe environment for children to learn and play and staff to work by creating awareness, and teaching about sun protection.

One of the most effective ways to protect students, staff, family, and community members from ultraviolet (UV) radiation at schools is to provide shade by planting trees and installing shade structures around the school where the children learn or play.

To learn more about shade and schools, visit the Shade page.

Exposure to the sun does contribute to vitamin D development in the body, but there is no "safe" amount of exposure to the sun that does not put a person at risk for skin cancer.

Using the sun to meet Vitamin D requirements is not recommended. Instead, use safe sources of vitamin D such as food or vitamin D supplements. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns regarding getting enough vitamin D. 

For information and recommendations on healthy eating which helps you to get your daily vitamins requirements, see Canada's food guide.

• Rain, Shine or Snow, Protect Your Skin from the Sun (handout)
• How to Select and Use Sunscreen (handout)