When we check out the local playground for safety, we naturally look for tripping or falling hazards, but we should also be scanning the skies as the sun and exposure to its harmful UV rays can pose a health risk for all ages.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun can account for up to 90 percent of all melanomas, the most serious type of skin cancer. Melanoma accounts for only about 1 percent of skin cancer cases but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.
Skin Cancer: Common and Preventable
The CDC says that cancer of the skin is the most common type of cancer in the United States and perhaps the most preventable. While sunscreen and hats are key when playing outdoors in schools or neighborhoods, playground designers can play a role in sun safety by providing shade structures.
“Providing shade in areas where students already participate in outdoor activities can afford passive protection from the sun’s damaging rays,” the CDC says in its publication “Shade Planning for America’s Schools.”
Not only can playground shade structures keep participants safe by blocking UV rays, but these shade systems also have other benefits such as:
- Comfort: Making the playground area and equipment cooler.
- Inclusive: Allowing those that can not tolerate direct sunlight an opportunity to play.
- Protection: Equipment and people are protected from other elements such as rain.
- Extended Use: Playtime is extended when shade structures are provided.
Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation or UV Rays
Even on a cloudy day with reasonably cool temperatures we are exposed to ultraviolet radiation or UV rays when we are outdoors.
The amount of UV radiation levels we receive are determined by several factors:
- Time of Day: Levels are there highest around solar noon, the time of day when the sun is at its highest point. 30 percent of total UV radiation is received in the hour before and after solar noon; 75 percent is received in the three hours before and after solar noon.
- Time of Year: Since the sun changes its angles throughout the year, the intensity of UV radiation changes. In the U.S. and northern hemisphere UV radiation tends to be greater in summer months.
- Geographical Latitude: UV radiation decreases as we move away from the equator. States such as Florida and Texas are closest to the equator in the continental U.S.
- Altitude: UV radiation is greater at higher altitude because the atmosphere is thinner which explains why you can get sunburned while skiing.
Of course, there would be no life on earth without the great benefits of the sun, and even UV rays have some positive effects such as the photosynthesis of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, and it leads to the aesthetic tanning of the skin.
Negatively, UV ray exposure can lead to:
- Sunburn
- Aging of the skin
- Eye damage
- Basal cell cancer
- Squamous cell cancer
- Melanoma
“The vast bulk of skin cancers in the U.S. are due to excessive skin exposure to UV radiation from the sun, so sun protection is the key to preventing the disease,” said Martin Weinstock, M.D., PhD, Director of Dermatology at Brown University and Chair of the American Cancer Society Skin Cancer Advisory Board.
5 Benefits of Playground Shade Structures
Shade structures can be an effective and easy solution to maintaining a physical
environment that supports sun safety.
“With high-quality shade structures, there is less direct sunlight on kids, allowing them to play longer and reducing the risk of sunburns,” says Miracle Recreation, a leading provider of playground equipment.
There are five main benefits that shade structures can provide your playground or outdoor area:
1. Sun and UV Rays Protection
The right shade structure fabric, such as CoolNet™ fabric canopy, can reduce direct sunlight and block up to 99 percent harmful UV rays. Shade structures will protect children and others from the UV effects of skin damage, as well as skin and eye damage.
2. Makes Playground and Outdoor Areas More Comfortable
The CDC says that adding a shade structure to an outdoor play area can reduce the temperature by as much as 10 to 20 degrees. The shade structure also cools the equipment making it less hot to the touch on summer days.
3. Enables Playground to be Inclusive
There are children and adults that have sun allergies or need to limit their exposure to direct sunlight due to certain medications or conditions such as epilepsy. According to GoodRX, some medications that can cause photosensitivity include:
- Antibiotics such as doxycycline and ciprofloxacin.
- Acne medications like Accutane.
- Antifungal medication like Griseofulvin.
- Diabetes drugs such as glyburide, glipizide, and glimepiride.
- Antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline.
4. Elements Protection for People and Equipment
The sun and its rays are the not only elements that can ruin a playground outing. Shade structures can provide protection from rain, snow, and other weather events. Shade structures will also protect the equipment from sun and rain damage, extending the useful life of it.
5. Extend the Playground Usefulness
All the above factors will combine to make your playground an outdoor area that has children playing for longer periods of time. Protection provided by shade structures will allow your playground to achieve its maximum usefulness.
Contact Churchich Recreation and Design today to find out about how we can provide you with Miracle Recreation solutions for all commercial playground equipment, recreation and outdoor fitness needs, as well as pre-engineered outdoor shade structures by Shade Systems with CoolNet shade fabric.