Question

What are the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation?
A. It can cause skin cancer
B. It contributes to global warming.
C. It contributes to greenhouse effect
D. It can cause depletion of natural resources

Answer 1

Hint: Human eye cannot detect ultraviolet radiation. Many insects however are able to see ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun and from man-made sources like tanning beds and welding torches. Radiation is the emission of energy from the source. UVA causes skin aging. UV rays are strongest in the middle of the day from ten to four. Even on a cloudy day one can be surrounded by UV radiation.

Complete answer:
This ultraviolet ray is harmful for the human body. It causes skin cancer, cataracts and other eye damage, immune system suppression, premature aging and other skin damage. So, the right answer will be option A. That means it can cause skin cancer. While our body can repair some of the DNA damage in skin cells, it cannot repair all of it. This unrepaired damage builds up over time and it can lead to malignant tumors. UVB which has medium wavelength is very active biologically but cannot go down into the superficial skin layer. UVA is responsible for skin cancer and premature aging.

Note: For very fair skinned people, after five to ten minutes ultraviolet radiation becomes harmful. Of all types of cancers melanoma causes the most deaths because of its tendency to spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs. UVC, which has a short wavelength, is the most damaging type of ultraviolet radiation. But this is completely absorbed by the atmosphere and does not reach to the earth’s surface.