Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Risk of Skin Cancer

Background: Previously considered safe for typical use, concerns have recently been expressed regarding the potential effect of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) on human skin and, in particular, on skin cancer risk. Objective: We sought to address this concern by reviewing the current literature on CFLs, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and photocarcinogenic exposure. Results: On average, the UV radiation from CFLs and subsequent carcinogenic exposure is lower than that from incandescent bulbs. However, defective bulbs can emit higher levels of UV radiation, which may cause significant damage. Conclusion: Our review calls for further investigation to determine how frequently these bulbs are sufficiently defective to lead to adverse effects.

Download Full-text

Humanmelanocortin 1 receptorvariants, receptor function and melanocyte response to UV radiation

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.115.11.2349 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 115 (11) ◽

pp. 2349-2355 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Cathy Scott ◽

Kazumasa Wakamatsu ◽

Shosuke Ito ◽

Ana Luisa Kadekaro ◽

Nobuhiko Kobayashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Uv Radiation ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Pronounced Increase ◽

Mc1r Gene ◽

Skin Cancer Risk ◽

Red Hair ◽

Human Melanocytes ◽

The Impact

Cutaneous pigmentation is determined by the amounts of eumelanin and pheomelanin synthesized by epidermal melanocytes and is known to protect against sun-induced DNA damage. The synthesis of eumelanin is stimulated by the binding of α-melanotropin (α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone)to the functional melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) expressed on melanocytes. The human MC1R gene is highly polymorphic and certain allelic variants of the gene are associated with red hair phenotype, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The importance of the MC1R gene in determining skin cancer risk led us to examine the impact of specific polymorphisms in this gene on the responses of human melanocytes to α-melanotropin and UV radiation. We compared the ability of human melanocyte cultures, each derived from a single donor, to respond to α-melanotropin with dose-dependent stimulation of cAMP formation, tyrosinase activity and proliferation. In each of those cultures the MC1R gene was sequenced, and the eumelanin and pheomelanin contents were determined. Human melanocytes homozygous for Arg160Trp, heterozygous for Arg160Trp and Asp294His, or for Arg151Cys and Asp294His substitutions, but not melanocytes homozygous for Val92Met substitution, in the MC1R demonstrated a significantly reduced response toα-melanotropin. Additionally, melanocytes with a non-functional MC1R demonstrated a pronounced increase in their sensitivity to the cytotoxic effect of UV radiation compared with melanocytes expressing functional MC1R. We conclude that loss-of-function mutations in the MC1R gene sensitize human melanocytes to the DNA damaging effects of UV radiation, which may increase skin cancer risk.

Download Full-text

Sun Exposure and Cancer Risk

Psycho-Oncology ◽

10.1093/med/9780190097653.003.0005 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 30-35

Author(s):

Suzanne J. Dobbinson ◽

Afaf Girgis ◽

Bruce K. Armstrong ◽

Anne E. Cust

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Uv Radiation ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Breast Cancers ◽

Non Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽

Prevention Interventions ◽

Mixed Messages

This chapter covers epidemiologic evidence for the association of ultraviolet (UV) radiation with cancer, psychosocial and behavioral research on sun exposure and sun protection, and mixed messages regarding the role of vitamin D in influencing cancer risk. The focus is primarily on sun exposure, but indoor tanning is also covered. The evidence is convincing for a causal relationship between UV radiation and skin cancer, but there appears to be a protective association of UV radiation with some internal cancers, namely colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This association may or may not be mediated by cutaneous vitamin D production. Predictors of sun exposure and sun protection behaviors and recommendations for UV protection are reviewed. A summary of psychosocial and behavioral skin cancer prevention interventions and approaches for different target groups is presented and linked to theoretical models that help to explain behavior change.

Download Full-text

Ultraviolet Absorbers for Textiles

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel ◽

10.1108/rjta-14-01-2010-b005 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 42-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

B.R. Das ◽

S.M. Ishtiaque ◽

R.S. Rengasamy ◽

S. Hati ◽

A. Kumar

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Ultraviolet Radiation ◽

Human Skin ◽

Uv Radiation ◽

Skin Surface ◽

Textile Material ◽

The Sun ◽

Skin Damage ◽

Uv Absorbers ◽

Ultraviolet Absorbers

The incidences of skin cancer have been rising worldwide due to excessive exposure to sunlight. Increase in exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight results in skin damage such as sunburn, premature skin ageing, allergies and skin cancer. Medical experts suggest several means of protection against ultraviolet radiation, including use of sunscreens, avoidance of the sun at its highest intensities, and wearing clothing that covers as much of the skin surface as possible. This paper provides insight on how UV absorbers can be efficiently used with textile material to protect human skin from harmful UV radiation. The manufacturers of various UV absorbers and their commercial products are reviewed and discussed. The interacting mechanism of UV absorbers with textile clothing for providing UV protection and an evaluation of the performance of UV absorbers are summarized.

Download Full-text