Erfurt (dpa/th) – Although the treetops in the forest reduce the dangerous UV radiation on the ground by 20 percent, sun protection is necessary when walking under trees. In addition to sunscreen, functional outdoor clothing is also recommended, the Thüringenforst state institute announced on Monday in Erfurt. UV radiation is at its highest and most dangerous between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Thüringenforst board member Volker Gebhardt referred to a study with a good 590 test persons, including 193 foresters. These were examined for their risk of skin cancer in connection with their outdoor activities. Although forest workers often wore uniforms and worked mainly under trees in the shade, an average of 16.5 percent were affected by skin cancer. According to the information, the group had refrained from the additional use of sunscreen creams.
According to Thüringenforst, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and trousers with a UV fabric certificate not only help to detect ticks in the forest at an early stage, but also to protect against UV radiation. Headgear and sunglasses should also be considered. It should also be noted that the intensity of UV radiation increases with increasing altitude above sea level. It increases by about 15 percent for every 1,000 meters of altitude. Anyone who flees from the heat to the ridges of the Thuringian Forest on extremely hot summer days should protect themselves from the higher UV radiation there.
