Solar UV radiation in schools: Issues and risks for children and adolescents

Teachers and students attending schools potentially face a harsh environmental solar exposure risk on a daily basis. Solar ultraviolet radiation is a known carcinogen, yet the realities of exposure to the sun are not often detected until years or even decades later, until the development of a skin cancer or cancers are noticed. Each new school year brings with it the potential for summer sunburn. Many individuals, teachers and school children included, would be aware of the need to cover up, use hats, apply sunscreen and seek shade where possible while outdoors, but are these strategies really enough to protect school children from the harmful effects of exposure to sunlight in the long run? The importance of these strategies are presented and the role schools can play in instilling lifelong habits that will minimise the future disease risks related to childhood exposures to sunlight are discussed.