Facelift for Observatory's ultraviolet information webpage

25 June 2009

The Hong Kong Observatory today (25 June) launched a new webpage with more information on ultraviolet (UV) radiation to raise people's awareness of sun protection and minimise the harm from UV radiation.

On hot summer days, people are inevitably exposed to UV radiation when engaging in outdoor activities. To raise their awareness of sun protection, the Observatory launched the new webpage on UV radiation. In addition to revamping the existing information of real-time and forecast UV indices, other useful information has also been added. This includes the statistics of past UV indices, the health effect of different UV radiation like UVA and UVB, the effectiveness of sunscreen lotion and clothing in protection against UV, common misconceptions about sun protection and applications of UV in daily life. The new webpage can be accessed on www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/uvindex/english/euvindex.htm.

Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Leung Wing-mo, said, "The Observatory has been measuring UV radiation and disseminating UV levels since 1999. In 2006, we started to provide UV index forecasts. The new topics added to the UV webpage today should be of interest to the public. As the effect of UV radiation on children and adolescents is of particular importance, the new webpage will be useful to teachers for preparing teaching materials. It also provides parents with practical tips to protect their children from UV."

Assistant Director of Health, Dr Regina Ching, welcomed the new webpage. She said, "Moderate exposure to the sun is good to our health, but overexposure to UV can induce skin and eye injury, and more seriously, cataracts and skin cancers. The Observatory's new webpage helps people obtain various kinds of information on UV and enables them to better understand the health effect of UV radiation and sun protection measures."

Real-time and forecast UV indices as well as various kinds of information on UV radiation are available on the Observatory's website