We all need some sun exposure − it’s the top source of vitamin D, which helps our bodies absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn’t take much time in the sun for most people to get all the vitamin D they need.

Repeated unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, on the other hand, can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression and skin cancer.

How much do you know about the best way to protect yourself from the sun? Take the quiz and find out. The correct answers appear below.

Questions

1. What does broad spectrum sunscreen do for your skin?
A. It provides water resistance
B. It provides protection from UVA rays
C. It provides protection from UVB rays
D. It provides protection from UVA and UVB rays

2. When are the sun’s rays at their most dangerous?
A. 2pm − 4pm
B. 10am − 4pm
C. After lunch

3. Vitamin D is very important for our bodies. Unprotected exposure to the sun is the best way to get Vitamin D.
A. True
B. False

4. Can you get sunburnt while in water?
A. Yes
B. No

5. Can you get sunburnt on a cloudy day?
A. Yes
B. No

6. The darker the sunglasses, the better the protection.
A. Yes
B. No

7. How often do I need to reapply water-resistant sunscreen?
A. Every two hours or sooner
B. After sweating or swimming
C. After I towel dry
D. All of the above

8. I can’t get skin cancer, because my normal routine (such as drive to work, hobbies and vacations) doesn’t include a lot of time outdoors.
A. True
B. false

9. When I’m wearing sunscreen, I can stay in the sun as long as I want.
A. True
B. false

10. A sunscreen labelled SPF 15 blocks more UV radiation than one labelled SPF 30.
A. True
B. false

 

Answers

1. D. It provides protection from UVA and UVB rays. The main advantage of broad spectrum sunscreen is that it protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays.

2. B. 10am − 4pm. Be sunsmart between 10am and 4pm, especially from September to April when the sun’s rays are most fierce.

3. B. False. The best way to get your Vitamin D is from your diet or supplements whenever possible. Eggs, fish and foods fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, yoghurt and some cereals and breads are good dietary sources.

4. A. Yes. Water offers only minimal protection from UV radiation and the reflection from water can increase your UV radiation exposure. Sand, snow and water all reflect the UV radiation back up as well.

5. A. Yes. Up to 80% of UV radiation can penetrate light cloud cover. UV radiation levels can be high, and even increase, due to reflection from clouds. Also, the cooler temperature may mislead people to believe there is no risk of sunburn.

6. B. No. The amount of UV protection that sunglasses provide cannot be determined by the colour of the lenses, the country of origin or the price of the eyewear. The determining factor is the lens material and any additional UV-blocking coatings that may have been applied.

7. D. All of the above.

8. B. False. Sun exposures all year round can add up to major damage for people with fair skin. Some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can even pass through windows, so driving or even sitting by a window during peak sun hours can expose your skin to damaging UV rays if the sun is shining directly on you. Everyday exposures are linked to squamous cell skin cancer. Although not as dangerous as melanoma, squamous cell skin cancer is far more common and the number of cases has been going up every year.

9. B. False. It is not smart to be in the sun for several hours, even if you are wearing sunscreen. These products don’t provide total protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is important to cover up with a shirt, wear a wide-brimmed hat, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher and reapply it about every two hours.

10. B. False. The sun protection factor (SPF) describes how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays (although it says nothing about protection from UVA rays). SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%. Be sure to choose a broad spectrum product that blocks both UVB and UVA light.

 

Sources

 

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/quizshow.php?title=sunsmart-quiz_1&q=1
http://www.unichem.co.nz/article?id=21391
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/toolsandcalculators/quizzes/sun-safety/index
http://brooklynscouts.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Kea-SunSmart-Resource.pdf
http://www.sunsense.co.uk/media/27319/Sunsense-Schools-Insert-04-Quiz.pdf