Loading...
The Rural Voice, 1996-07, Page 42There are plenty of dangers on the farm and they don't all involve farm animals and machinery, according to Joyce Castanza, Public Health Nurse with the Middlesex -London Health Unit. In a way, farmers are more vulnerable to the hazard Castanza has in mind because, unlike PTO shafts or farm chemicals, it's invisible. Castanza is part of the Sunsense Awareness Team with the Middlesex - London Health Unit and she is worried about the safety of farmers who spend agood dealof their summer in the sun. "Because of long, chronic exposure to the sun farmers are at greater risk of skin cancer," says Castanza. The most risk comes to highly - exposed areas like the nose and ears. "I've seen a lot of farmers with skin cancer on their ears." But farmers have been working in the sun for years. What's new? The thinning of the ozone layer is what's new, Castanza says. In 1995 the ozone layer was seven per cent thinner than pre -1980 values. The ozone layer helps filter out the most damaging rays of the sun, the rays that can cause skin cancer. The sun's effect is stronger, meaning more people are being sunburnt. The more sunburns, the more skin cancer. Already, she says, one in seven Canadians is affected by skin cancer. The skin cancer rate is rising and most of it caused by damage done to the skin of people 20 years ago (it usually takes 20 years for the cancer to develop). With today's stronger sun, the increase in skin cancer may be even sharper in another 20 years. Anyone who spends time in the sun is in danger but "farmers who spend a great part of their day outdoors every day are at high risk of developing skin cancer," says Castanza. There is additional risk for those farmers with light skin and light coloured eyes. People who sunburn most easily can do damage to their skin that, aside from the pain of sunburn, can do long-term damage. when even the glass of their tractor cab won't protect them from the sun's UVA rays? First of all, Castanza says, all of us should familiarize ourselves with the UV index which is often broadcast on radio and television stations. The UV index is a daily predictor of the strength of the sun's UV rays based on the day-to-day changes in the thickness of the ozone layer. UV is measured on a scale of 0-10: the higher the UV index, the more rays you will receive and the faster you will burn. Farmersand those exposed to the sun should cover up to protect themselves from harmful rays, s''".I- L Castanza says. Wear a brimmed hat to protect your head, ears and INNosissot neck. She recommends hats have a three-inch (7.5 cm) or larger brim and/or a back flap. Too many farmers have worn only baseball -type caps and suffered the consequences. Clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt and long pants should be worn even on overcast days. Up to 80 per cent of harmful rays penetrate haze, light clouds and fog. Fabrics have different sun protection factors. A general rule of thumb is that if you hold the clothing up to the light and it blocks the Tight, it will act as a shield against UV rays, Castanza says. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 (SPF refers to the Sun Protection Factor offered against the UVB rays) to all areas exposed to the sun. SPF helps determine the length of time you can spend in the sun without burning. SUN SAFETY The sun, in these days of ozone depletion, has the power to ruin your health 38 THE RURAL VOICE 1 There are two kinds of Ultra Violet rays: UVA rays which are in sunlight all year round and can cause premature aging of the skin, and UVB rays which are the rays that cause summer sunburns and, eventually, can cause cancer. The UVB rays are the strongest and most dangerous between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on summer days. Ideally, people should keep a low exposure to the sun during these hours. Children, for instance, can be encouraged to play under trees or shelters. But what can farmers do UV Index Category Sunburn Time over 9 extreme less than 15 minutes 7 - 9 high about 20 minutes 4 - 7 moderate about 30 minutes 0 - 4 low more than one hour Take extra care if the UV index is above seven.