The effects of ultraviolet b increase resulted from stratospheric ozone depletion on human health / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Recently, it has been recognized that the extent of the Antarctic ozone hole becomes clear. The depletion of stratospheric ozone may lead to increase ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation.<BR>UV-B radiation has many damaging effects on human health, such as snow blindness, catalact and skin cancer. UV-B radiation also suppresses the immune defenses against certain infections. Non-melanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, has convincing and clear-cut relationship to UV-B radiation. Cutaneous malignant melanoma is laso at least partially caused by exposure to UV-B radiation.<BR>In U. S. A., it has been recognized that the incidence of skin cancer including melanoma increases from high to low latitudes possibly due to the increase of UV-B rediation. while it is difficult to estimate numerical effect on the basis of epidemiologic data in the U. S. A., UNEP and WHO estimates that for every 1% decrease in stratospheric ozone. there will be between a 0.3 to 0.6% increase in catalact. Based on the same epidemiologic data, it is also estimated that for every 1% depletion of ozone, the incidence of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma will increase 2.7, 4.6 and 0.6% respectively.<BR>Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the incidence rate of skin cancer in various countries in relation to UV-B dose. There is concern that increased UV-B radiation, by suppression of the immune system, might lead to an increase of the incidence of infectious diseases.