The reason for the need to protect yourself from UV rays is that the radiation causes skin damage that increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. We especially we emphasize the children in this regard because the risk is higher for them and younger children have little sense in protecting themselves.

The UV index can be monitored on the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority website http://uv.gr.is/. The image shows the UV index in Reykjavík from noon on May 6 to noon on May 9. The clouds partly stop the UV radiation that reaches the earth, so the UV index is not high on May 7, but on May 8 was a sunny day.

If there is a UV factor of 3 or higher, it is recommended that you protect yourself from sunlight, e.g. with clothes, sunglasses, sitting in a shade, using sunscreen and/or limiting outdoor activities at times when the sun is strongest, i.e. when it is highest in the air. You should avoid exposing your skin to the sun for longer than a short period. It is also good to remember that the intensity of the sunlight can be high even if the weather is cool.

• A recent article with a summary of the latest evidence on how much UV radiation is the cause of skin cancer and the latest advice on how to best protect yourself from UV sunlight has been published. The article is called Skin cancers are the most frequent cancers in fair-skinned populations, but we can prevent them and it can be found in Icelandic.