For years, the public has been bombarded with research investigations and published reports claiming that any and all exposure to UV light can cause a multitude of problems. These reports are important because they enable us to get a thorough perspective on the risks of UV energy. There are several problems, however, which have led to a lopsided perception of these risks among the public:

•  Many of these studies are flawed and some outdated because of inaccurate measurement equipment and, therefore, do not provide an accurate depiction of how our bodies react to UV light.

•  Thus far, most studies have only focused on the downside of excessive UV exposure and have overlooked the potential benefits.

•  The overwhelming majority of studies investigating the effects of moderate UV exposure have found no significant adverse effect - yet these studies receive minimal media attention compared to those claiming to find an adverse impact.

While many dermatologists suggest that UV light causes skin cancer and should, therefore be avoided at all costs; others suggest that a moderate amount of sun exposure can ward off a host of deadly and debilitating diseases. Thus far, research has shown that moderate doses of sun exposure increases the amount of Vitamin D in the human body. This increase can prevent diseases and conditions such as osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression and, more surprisingly, cancers of the colon, prostate, breast.

For example, Dr. Michael Holick, Vitamin D expert and professor of Medicine, Dermatology, Physiology, and Biophysics at Boston University Medical Center has claimed that 40-60% of Americans are vitamin D deficient .

How does this impact the study of UV light? We get our Vitamin D from three main sources:

•  By eating a diet rich in vitamin D,

•  By taking vitamin D supplements or

•  By receiving a moderate dose of sun exposure.

It has become a well-known fact that American diets do not provide enough Vitamin D, leaving supplements and moderate sun exposure to make up the difference. Most dermatologists would instinctively suggest supplements versus sun exposure. However, research indicates, oral vitamin D supplements block the squalene process which, it has been proven, results in increased cholesterol in the blood stream.

The third option, sun exposure, may have its consequences - continuous over-exposure and sun-burning has been linked to skin cancer. However, the benefits of moderate exposure to the sun appear to far outweigh the risks. Research shows, and it can be claimed, that Vitamin D produced by the sun may prevent a number of debilitating diseases.

It is our mission to pursue efforts that will illuminate both the positive and negative effects of UV exposure in a proportioned way so that the public can properly weigh risks and benefits for themselves. . Our research thus far indicates that the risks and benefits of UV energy are much more evenly balanced than are the proportion of positive and negative messages emanating from the public health and policymaking community.