Although most people are aware of the fact that UV rays exist wherever they go outdoors (even when they are in the shade), not all of them realize just how harmful they can be if they are exposed to them for prolonged periods of time. However, there are numerous ways in which these rays can cause a lot of damage to people and objects.

Fading Carpets and Furniture

Many people think that UVA and UVB rays are not able to penetrate through glass; however, this is not the case, and in many instances, the sun’s reflection off a building’s windows can actually intensify the amount of heat and UV exposure that is experienced inside by a significant amount. Over time, this will result in interior fixtures in buildings such as expensive carpeting and costly furniture items to become scorched in places or even rot. Plastic items that are exposed to these rays on a daily basis will also become brittle and break or crack. As a result, it is strongly recommended that a UV-resistant window tint product be used on all building windows.

Skin Damage

While a tan is often associated with ‘looking healthy,’ it is in fact an indication that a person’s skin has been damaged – or literally cooked – by the sun’s UV rays. Over-exposure of any part of the skin to the sun will not only result in the development of painful sunburn and blisters; it will also cause other unpleasant end results to appear, such as age spots, wrinkles, fine lines, hardened skin patches, blotchiness and even loss of the skin’s natural elasticity over time. If the skin continues to be exposed to the sun without any form of protection after these effects are noticed, it can result in the development of skin cancer such as melanoma and/r carcinoma growths as well.

Damage to the Eyes

Vision is one of the human body’s most precious senses, which is why it is crucial to ensure that the eyes are well protected when going out in the sun – even for short periods of time. Too much time in the sun without sufficient eye protection such as polarized lens sunglasses will not only cause headaches; in more severe cases, the UV exposure can result in the development of cataracts, macular degeneration, eyelid cancer and photo-conjunctivitis and photo-keratitis, both of which are painful conditions that can cause irreversible eye damage. It is strongly recommended that the best quality sunglasses and eye protection be worn when engaging in any outdoor activities.

Although a small amount of exposure to UV rays is essential for the body to produce Vitamin D, it is strongly recommended that no more than 10 to 15 minutes be spent out in the sun each day without the right forms of protection. Even when in the car, vehicle owners should ensure that they take the necessary precautions against UV rays, with one of the most effective measures being the installation of UV-resistant window tinting products.