Is there more UV at the equator?

24 May 2009

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Question

Is there really more UV at the equator? I thought it was just hotter.

Answer

Nina - There is considerably more UV at the equator and considerably more UVA than UVB. UVA is the type of ultraviolet radiation that begins the process of vitamin D formation in the skin. There's a lot more UVA as well. At the equator you get bathed, absolutely drenched in UV. And it's quite a bit hotter. At other latitudes you get considerably less ultraviolet radiation, especially the short length UVB.

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