Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily from sunlight, poses a significant health risk, particularly to those exposed over long durations due to work or lifestyle. A recent WHO/ILO systematic review found clear links between occupational exposure to solar UV and increased incidence of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), especially among outdoor workers (Pega et al., 2021).

Meta-analyses showed that workers with regular sun exposure faced 1.45 times the risk of developing melanoma and 1.60 times the risk of NMSC compared to those with minimal exposure. Subtype analysis showed squamous cell carcinoma risk was more than double (RR: 2.42) that of non-exposed individuals.

Complementing this, a 2023 meta-analysis demonstrated how frequent sunburns significantly increase the risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the general population (Lashway et al., 2023). The study quantified that every five sunburns per decade of life increased BCC risk nearly twofold - 2.12 times in adults and 1.86 times in childhood.

The cumulative effect of repeated sunburns, regardless of life stage, was consistently associated with higher skin cancer risk, reinforcing sunburn as a critical modifiable risk factor.

Exposure risks aren’t limited to the skin. A separate line of research emphasizes UV’s damaging effects on the eyes, particularly in outdoor environments. A 3D modeling study showed that the cornea receives the highest UV dose in uncovered positions, with midday exposure reaching over 900 J/m² (Backes et al., 2019).

While all tested sunglasses blocked UV radiation through their lenses, their effectiveness varied significantly based on shape, size, and head position. Goggles provided the best protection, while mid-sized sunglasses left lateral eye zones largely unshielded. Even large-sized sunglasses were less protective under diffuse light conditions, suggesting fit and form are crucial to eye protection.