Health risks

Too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure can cause sunburn, premature ageing and skin damage leading to skin cancer. It can also cause eye damage.

Too little UV exposure can lead to vitamin D deficiency, which can weaken bones and muscles and affect overall health.

Sunburn is a radiation burn to the skin

Find out the facts about sunburn, the degrees of sunburn and treatment.

Eye damage

Sun-related eye damage includes photoconjunctivitis, which is also known as snow blindness or welders flash, photokeratitis, macular degeneration, cataracts, pterygiums and skin cancer of the conjunctiva and skin surrounding the eye.

Premature ageing

Most visible signs of ageing are from skin damage caused by exposure to UV radiation. This can include skin wrinkling, sagging, blotchiness and roughness.

Vitamin D

Find out more about the health risks of too little sun and advice about how much sun is enough to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.

Photosensitivity

An abnormally high sensitivity of the skin or eyes to UV radiation exposure. The skin can burn more easily increasing your risk of skin cancer.

Photosensitivity is caused by ingesting, inhaling or coming into skin contact with photosensitisers – substances that cause photosensitivity. Photosensitisers include industrial chemicals, drugs, plants and some essential oils and fragrances. Some medications can cause photosensitivity. Check with your doctor or pharmacist, as alternate medication may be available.

Information on substances which cause photosensitivity can be found in the Guidance note for the protection of workers from ultraviolet radiation in sunlight from Safe Work Australia.

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