What’s Up – Sun Facts
Types of Ultraviolet Radiation

Of the three types of energy contained in sunlight—ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation—ultraviolet (UV) can be the most dangerous.

There are three kinds of UV radiation, and, luckily, the ozone layer in the earth’s atmosphere absorbs a lot of it:

• UVA: not absorbed by the ozone layer.
• UVB: is partially absorbed by the ozone layer.
• UVC: is completely absorbed by the ozone layer.

The UVA and UVB reaching the earth’s surface, and your skin, can be harmful.

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Some pages on this website are created and maintained by kids—members of Texas 4-H.

All content is reviewed by Carol Rice, R.N., Ph.D., Professor and Extension Health Specialist, Regents Fellow.

This site has been provided to you by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas 4-H, and the Texas Cancer Council.

Last updated: 10 January, 2008

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