We all know that kids are pretty curious about each and every phenomenon around them.
When my nephew asked me, “Auntie, are there UV rays at night?” I had to clarify this for myself before answering him. So, I did my research and concluded that yes, but these rays are almost nonexistent at night.
I thought I’d share whatever I learnt from my studies with everyone who’s wondering the same.
Understanding UV Rays
Sunlight is composed of about 50% infrared light, 40% visible light, and 10% ultraviolet light.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.
Types Of UV
The rays produced by the sun are classified into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
The ozone layer blocks UV rays and stops them from reaching Earth to their fullest.
UV Radiation and The Sun
During the day, the sun produces significant amounts of UV radiation, particularly in the UVA and UVB categories.
Please note that the UV Index can range from zero at night to 15-16 at noon in the tropics.
This means the intensity of the sun’s UV light radiation drastically decreases when the sun sets.
Do Ultraviolet Rays Exist at Night?
At night, the direct exposure to UV radiation and UV levels from the sun are almost null.
However, certain artificial light sources emit UV radiation. These fluorescent light bulbs, halogen lamps, and some LED lights.
While these levels are much lower compared to UV radiations from the sun, prolonged exposure to these sources can still pose a risk to skin and health.
FAQs
Some of the most asked questions are:
What Are The Harms Of Direct Sun Exposure?
Prolonged UV exposure can have harmful effects on skin cells, such as skin damage, sunburn, DNA damage, skin aging, and skin cancers.
How To Protect Yourself From Harmful UV Rays?
Use sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen minutes before going in the sun, wear goggles, and avoid long exposures to the sun to protect yourself from direct sunlight.
Is UVA Harmful To The Skin?
Yes, UVA is the main cause of premature skin aging. It also poses the risk of skin cancer.
Wrapping It Up
In summary, while natural UV rays are not present at night, artificial sources can emit low levels of UV radiation. I recommend trying to avoid UV rays as much as you can!