Glossary & Definitions
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC): The technical and scientific society devoted to the advancement of textile chemistry. The level of sun protection provided by fabrics is via a standard that AATCC developed.
Avobenzone: A chemical absorber that is placed in sunscreen for additional protection against UVA.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common type of skin cancer. The cancer cells resemble the basal cells of the outer layer of the skin.
Basal cell carcinomas usually appear as “sores that don’t heal.” A bleeding or scabbing sore that seems to get somewhat better, then recurs and starts to bleed, may be a basal cell carcinoma. Most basal cell carcinomas are on the face and neck where the skin is exposed to sunlight. However, a fair number show up on parts of the body such as the abdomen, leg, and scalp exposed to little or no sunlight.
Heat Stroke: Also known as Sunstroke or heat prostration. This is a serious condition that is sometimes life threatening. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. Body heat rises and the victim becomes extremely ill. Humidity is also a factor in addition to high temperature. When the humidity is high water evaporates slower and the body’s normal method of cooling itself by sweating is less effective. Dehydration can contribute to the problem by making you sweat less. You should always drink lots of water when it is hot, and avoid too much physical exertion.
Internal Dose: The amount of a substance penetrating the absorption barriers (e.g. skin, lung tissue, gastrointestinal tract) of an organism through either physical or biological processes. It’s used in exposure assessments.
Maximum Tolerated Dose: The maximum dose that can be tolerated for a major portion of its lifetime without developing carcinogenicity effects.
Melanoma: This is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Most melanomas show up as an irregular bordered dark mole that spreads. Melanoma is most common in people with fair skin, but can occur in people with all skin types.
Micronized Zinc: A powdered metal used in sunscreen as a physical barrier. Provides additional protection against UVA.
Ozone (O3): Is a natural form of oxygen that provides a protective layer shielding the earth from ultraviolet radiation.
Radiation: Transmission of energy though space or any medium. Also known as radiant energy.
Retinoids: A class of drugs that are used to treat acne. Use of retinoids increases sun sensitivity in humans, and therefore the increased need for sun protection.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A form of skin cancer that affects almost a quarter million people in the US per year. The cancer will continue to grow and can become life threatening if left untreated. Early detection considerably increases the likelihood of survival.
Skin Cancer: Skin Cancer, or cancer of the outer surface of the body, is the most common cancer in the U.S. Ultraviolet light from sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Unexplained changes in the appearance of the skin, lasting longer than 2 weeks, should be evaluated by a doctor.
Skin Type: Doctors assess how easily your skin turns red or tans. Skin type evaluations help Doctors judge how easily you may develop skin cancer.
Stratosphere Layer: Is where good ozone protects life on Earth by absorbing some of the sun’s UV rays.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF): A number assigned to a sunscreen that is the factor by which the time required for unprotected skin to become sunburned is increased when the sunscreen is used. SPF numbers on a package can range from as low as 2 to as high as 60. These numbers refer to the product’s ability to screen or block out the sun’s burning rays. The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin.
For example, a fair-skinned person who would normally turn red after 10 minutes in the sun. Ten minutes is their “initial burning time.” If that person uses a sunscreen with SPF 2, it takes 20 minutes in the sun for that person’s skin to turn red. Now, if that person uses a sunscreen with SPF 15, it multiplies the initial burning time by 15, so it takes 150 minutes, or 2 and half hours, for that person’s skin to turn red. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are generally thought to provide useful protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Sunblock: A lotion applied to the skin to prevent sunburn. Sunblock works by physically blocking out ultraviolet radiation.
Sunburn: Is a symptom of a damaged skin produced by overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV-rays. Typically there is initial redness (erythema), followed by varying degrees of pain, both proportional in severity to the duration and intensity of exposure. After being burned, the skin may turn red 2 to 6 hours later. Pain is worst 6 to 48 hours afterward. The burn continues to develop for 24 to 72 hours after exposure. Skin peeling begins 3 to 8 days after the burn occurs. Common outcomes include tenderness, pain, edema, red and/or peeling skin, rash, nausea and fever. Sunburns may be first- or second-degree burns. Minor sunburns typically cause nothing more than slight redness and tenderness to the affected area. In more serious cases blistering can occur. Extreme sunburns can be painful to the point of debilitation and may require hospital care.
Sunscreen: A lotion applied to the skin to prevent sunburn by chemically absorbing ultraviolet radiation.
Titanium Dioxide: An oxide TiO2 of titanium that is used in sunscreen as a physical barrier to provide additional protection against UVA.
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF): A rating system to describe the level of protection provided by fabrics used in clothing, hats, swimwear, umbrellas, etc. For example, a UPF 30 will protect against 29 out of 30 parts of UVA and UVB.
Ultraviolet Radiation (UV or UVR): A portion of the electromagnetic spectrum generated by the sun. Ultraviolet radiation has wavelengths between 100 nm and 400 nm and sits between x rays and visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. Ultraviolet Radiation is now considered a known human carcinogen (cancer causing agent) by the US government.
Ultraviolet Rays: Radiation from the sun that can be useful or potentially harmful. UV rays from one part of the spectrum (UVA) enhance plant life. UV rays from other parts of the spectrum (UVB) can cause skin cancer or other tissue damage.
UVA: Radiation that is in the region of the ultraviolet spectrum which extends from about 320 to 400 nm in wavelength and that causes tanning and contributes to aging of the skin.
UV ALERT: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues a UV Alert when the level of solar UV radiation reaching your local area is predicted to be unusually intense for the time of year. The UV Alert is a warning, and it offers simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.
UVB: Radiation that is in the region of the ultraviolet spectrum which extends from about 280 to 320 nm in wavelength and that is primarily responsible for sunburn, aging of the skin, and the development of skin cancer.
UVC: Radiation that is in the region of the ultraviolet spectrum which extends from about 200 to 280 nm in wavelength and that is more hazardous than UVB but is mostly absorbed by earth’s upper atmosphere.
UV Index: Was developed by the National Weather Service and the EPA. It provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities to prevent overexposure to the sun’s rays. The UV Index provides a daily forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun. The Index predicts UV intensity levels on a scale of 1 to 11+, where 1 indicates a low risk of overexposure and 11+ signifies an extreme risk. Calculated on a next-day basis for every ZIP Code across the United States, the UV Index takes into account clouds and other local conditions that affect the amount of UV radiation reaching the ground in different parts of the country.
UV Index Number Exposure Level
2 or less Low
3 to 5 Moderate
6 to 8 High
8 to 10 Very High
11+ Extreme
Zinc Oxide: an infusible white solid ZnO used especially as a pigment in sunblocks.
