At the onset of the southern hemisphere summer, WMO is promoting a new SunSmart Global Ultraviolet Radiation mobile telephone App, which has been developed by leading health, radiation and weather organizations. It provides geo-located 5-day Ultraviolet (UV) and weather forecasts and sun protection times along with tailored notifications.
The App is available free of charge at both the Apple App Store and on Google Play for Android versions and is an important public health tool. The sun’s UV rays can impact vitamin D production, cause DNA damage, skin cancers and certain eye diseases, such as cataracts.
“What makes this App unique is that it provides behavioural prompts to reduce the risks associated with UV exposure based on current UV levels in any location,” says WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.
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“It can also be adapted with the support of country-level weather agencies to accept data from local UV measuring stations according to the current user location resulting in more accurate current UV Index readings. In an easy to understand language it provides clear guidance as to when sun protection is required and when it is not and how to protect yourself”, he said.
“We encourage the users in your country to utilize the application to ensure better health protection,” said Prof. Taalas in a circular letter to WMO Members.
The application allows also adaptation to national languages. It is currently available in the six WMO’s official languages.
Source: WMO
