PRINTER'S NO. 1306
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
228
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY KULIK, READSHAW, TOOHIL, MURT, MILLARD, DONATUCCI,
BIZZARRO, SONNEY, DUSH, DEASY, LONGIETTI, SOLOMON, D. COSTA,
DiGIROLAMO, BOBACK, SCHLOSSBERG, WARREN AND HILL-EVANS,
APRIL 10, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 10, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of July 2017 as "Ultraviolet Safety Month"
in Pennsylvania to raise awareness of the dangers of UV rays
and point out the most effective ways to avoid these harmful
rays.
WHEREAS, The skin is the body's largest organ and it helps
control body temperature and protect internal organs against
sunlight, injury and infection; and
WHEREAS, Many people do not adequately protect their skin
from dangerous environmental hazards and do not consider the
necessity of protecting their skin; and
WHEREAS, Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United
States, with more skin cancers diagnosed in the United States
than all other cancers combined; and
WHEREAS, The number of skin cancer cases has been increasing
over the past few decades, mostly from too much exposure to
ultraviolet (UV) rays, a form of electromagnetic radiation; and
WHEREAS, Sunlight is the main source of UV rays, although UV
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rays can also come from man-made sources, including tanning
beds, sun lamps and welding torches; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, there are
three main types of UV rays:
(1) UVA rays age skin cells, damage the DNA of skin
cells, are linked to long-term skin damage, including
wrinkles and may play a role in some skin cancers.
(2) UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays,
can damage skin cell DNA directly, cause sunburns and are
also thought to cause most skin cancers.
(3) UVC rays have more energy than other types of UV
rays, however, UVC rays are absorbed in the ozone layer of
the atmosphere before reaching the earth and are not normally
a cause of skin cancer;
and
WHEREAS, Avoiding sunlight completely is not possible or
healthy, however, there are several ways to protect the skin
from harmful exposure to UV radiation; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Health and Human
Services offers the following everyday steps to safeguard skin
from the harmful effects of UV radiation from the sun:
(1) Wear protective clothing, including a hat and
sunglasses.
(2) Avoid sunburns.
(3) Stay in the shade and out of the sun, if possible,
between the peak burning hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV
light is the strongest.
(4) Use extra caution near reflective surfaces,
including water, snow and sand.
(5) Use extra caution when at higher altitudes.
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(6) Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply
throughout the day;
and
WHEREAS, Most skin cancers can be detected early through skin
self-exams and regular skin exams by a health care professional;
and
WHEREAS, Regular skin exams are important to finding new,
evolving or unusual growths on the skin or changes to the
symmetry, border, color or diameter of moles; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of July 2017 as "Ultraviolet Safety Month" in Pennsylvania
to raise awareness of the dangers of UV rays and point out the
most effective ways to avoid these harmful rays.
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