Ozone Layer Depletion and Emerging Public Health Concerns - An Update on Epidemiological Perspective of the Ambivalent Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure

Abstract

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the primary etiological agent responsible for developing cutaneous malignancies. Avoiding excessive radiation exposure, especially by high-risk groups, is recommended to prevent UV-induced photo-pathologies. However, optimal sun exposure is essential for the healthy synthesis of about 90% of vitamin D levels in the body. Insufficient exposure to UV-B is linked to vitamin D deficiency in humans. Therefore, optimal sun exposure is necessary for maintaining a normal state of homeostasis in the skin. Humans worldwide face a major existential threat because of climate change which has already shown its effects in several ways. Over the last 4 to 5 decades, increased incidences in skin cancer cases have led international health organizations to develop strong sun protection measures. However, at the same time, a growing concern about vitamin D deficiency is creating a kind of exposure dilemma. Current knowledge of UV exposure to skin outweighs the adverse effects than the beneficial roles it offers to the body, necessitating a correct public health recommendation on optimal sun exposure. Following an appropriate recommendation on optimal sun exposure will lead to positive outcomes in protecting humans against the adverse effects of strict recommendations on sun protection measures. In this short review, we spotlight the ambivalent health effects of UV exposure and how ozone layer depletion has influenced these effects of UVR. Further, our aim remains to explore how to lead towards a balanced recommendation on sun protection measures to prevent the spurt of diseases due to inadequate exposure to UV-B.

Protective effect of Salvia plebeia R. Br ethanol extract on UVB‐induced skin photoaging in vitro and in vivo

“…In recent years, due to the continuous depletion of the ozone layer, increasing ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth's surface. 32 Compared with chemical antioxidants, traditional Chinese medicine has great potential in skin photodamage treatment because of their safety and nontoxicity. The flavonoid-rich S. plebeia R. Br (SP) are gaining interest because of its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.…”

Oxidative-Stress-Sensitive microRNAs in UV-Promoted Development of Melanoma

“…Together, these findings suggested UV-mediated redox mechanisms as important regulators in the expression and function of miRNAs involved in melanoma initiation and progression. Considering that global warming and climate change are further altering the conditions of solar UV radiation on the Earth's surface, increasing the risk of a range of health effects for humans [16], a deeper understanding of the correlation between miRNAs responsive to UV-induced oxidative stress and the melanomagenesis process becomes crucial. In fact, future investigations in this field will allow us to identify specific UVdysregulated, redox-sensitive miRNAs as new players and useful targets for alternative approaches aimed at preventing and/or treating this life-threatening skin disease.…”

“…Accordingly, solar UV rays reaching the ground level comprise approximately 95% UVA and 5% UVB (Table 1). In this context, it is worth mentioning that depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer due to global environmental changes is likely to have serious impacts on human health in terms of UV exposure within the near future [16]. Furthermore, the growing popularity of artificial tanning, especially among young women, represents another dangerous practice that can increase the risk of skin cancer, in particular when the first exposure is before the age of 35 years.…”

Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Potential Benefits and Challenges

“…Although melanoma causes the majority of skin cancer deaths, it is only responsible for 1% of all skin cancers in the United States [ 3 ]. The incidence of NMSC cases is continuously increasing because of better cancer screening processes, increases in the elderly population, and increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) as a consequence of ozone-layer depletion [ 4 , 5 ]. According to a report published in 2012, which estimates the NMSC incidence in US people, approximately 5.4 million NMSC or keratinocyte carcinoma cases were diagnosed; however, the exact epidemiology of NMSC is unknown because, in the USA, NMSC is not included in the cancer registries [ 1 , 6 ].…”