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UV
Exposure Categories
What is the UV Index?
In response to the increasing incidence of skin cancer,
cataracts, and other effects from exposure to the sun's harmful rays, the National Weather
Service (NWS), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) collaborated on a sun awareness information program.
An important part of this program is the Ultraviolet
(UV) Index, developed by the National Meteorological Center of the National
Weather Service.
The Index is a next-day forecast that
estimates the amount of ultraviolet radiation that will reach the earth's surface --
providing important information to help you prevent overexposure to the sun's rays. The
Index also includes the effects of cloud cover on the anticipated UV exposure level for
the next day.
What are the UV exposure
categories?
Index
Values |
Exposure
Categories |
0 - 2 |
Minimal - An index reading of 0 to
2 means minimal danger from the sun's UV rays for the average person. |
3 - 4 |
Low - An index reading of 3 to
4 means you may be at risk of skin damage from the sun's rays -- many people can
experience a sunburn in 45 minutes. |
5 - 6 |
Moderate - An index reading of 5 to
6 means you may be at some measurable risk of skin damage due to the sun -- many people
can experience a burn in only 30 minutes. |
7 - 9 |
High - An index reading of 7 to 9 means you may be at high risk of harm
from unprotected exposure to the sun -- many people can burn in under 15 minutes. |
| 10 + |
Very High - An index reading of 10
and above means you are at maximal risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure -- many
people burn in as little as 10 minutes without protection. |
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