The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued new regulations for sunscreen labels for next year that will highlight how effective the substance is in blocking cancer-causing rays.
The move is intended to educate sunbathers and those who work and play in the sun on how important it is to protect one's skin from two types of light - and that a high SPF does not mean you are covered.
From NPR: "SPF measures a sunscreen's ability to prevent sunburn, which is caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Scientists now also know that ultraviolet A (UVA) is a major cause of aging and also contributes to skin cancer. But SPF labels on sunscreen do not currently address the risks of UVA light. ... Consumers might have a misinterpretation, not realizing that they're not being fully protected," says Michael Hansen, a senior scientist at Consumers Union, a group that has been pushing the FDA for years to require better sunscreen labels."
The new regulations are not without controversy.
And from CBS News: "FDA's action offers some noticeable improvements for consumers, such as limiting misleading claims" Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Washington, D.C.-based group, said in a written statement. "However, it is clear that FDA caved to industry and weakened its safety standards." ... Andrews said the rules include a weak standard for protection against UVA rays, making it hard for consumers to tell good sunscreens from mediocre ones. And, he said, the rules will allow most products to use the words "broad spectrum sunscreen" on the label even though there's no assurance that the products really do offer protection against the rays that cause skin damage.
Some ideas:
- Hit the local pool or beach and speak with sunbathers. Ask them if they are using sunblock, if it has broad spectrum protection - or if they were aware that SPF does not necessariloy protect them from harmful cancer-causing rays.
- Talk with lifeguards, street crews and others who have to work in the sun.
- Interview local doctors. How many sunburn patients do they see? Do they believe their patients are tuned in to the dangers of the sun and skin cancer? What advice do they have?
- Publish a poll - ask folks how often they use sunscreen on themselves and their children
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued new regulations for sunscreen labels for next year that will highlight how effective the substance is in blocking cancer-causing rays.
The move is intended to educate sunbathers and those who work and play in the sun on how important it is to protect one's skin from two types of light - and that a high SPF does not mean you are covered.
From NPR: "SPF measures a sunscreen's ability to prevent sunburn, which is caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Scientists now also know that ultraviolet A (UVA) is a major cause of aging and also contributes to skin cancer. But SPF labels on sunscreen do not currently address the risks of UVA light. ... Consumers might have a misinterpretation, not realizing that they're not being fully protected," says Michael Hansen, a senior scientist at Consumers Union, a group that has been pushing the FDA for years to require better sunscreen labels."
The new regulations are not without controversy.
And from CBS News: "FDA's action offers some noticeable improvements for consumers, such as limiting misleading claims" Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Washington, D.C.-based group, said in a written statement. "However, it is clear that FDA caved to industry and weakened its safety standards." ... Andrews said the rules include a weak standard for protection against UVA rays, making it hard for consumers to tell good sunscreens from mediocre ones. And, he said, the rules will allow most products to use the words "broad spectrum sunscreen" on the label even though there's no assurance that the products really do offer protection against the rays that cause skin damage.
Some ideas:
- Hit the local pool or beach and speak with sunbathers. Ask them if they are using sunblock, if it has broad spectrum protection - or if they were aware that SPF does not necessariloy protect them from harmful cancer-causing rays.
- Talk with lifeguards, street crews and others who have to work in the sun.
- Interview local doctors. How many sunburn patients do they see? Do they believe their patients are tuned in to the dangers of the sun and skin cancer? What advice do they have?
- Publish a poll - ask folks how often they use sunscreen on themselves and their children
