The Canary Islands are geared up to temperatures up to 40°C, a heat wave that the Archipelago Health Bureau describes as “anomaly” during this period. The Ministry of Health has warned residents and tourists in particular that one island is experiencing very high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The alert continues with data from the Spanish National Weather Organization (AEMET). This caused an extreme UV risk warning for Tejeda, Altenara and Gran Canaria Valleseco, which continues through May 11th. “This is a spring abnormality,” the Canary Islands Health Department said, “Because extreme UV warnings are usually issued in the summer.”
Heat waves are expected to bring daytime temperatures up to 40°C to around 30°C, causing alerts to occur, significantly increasing the health risks associated with exposure to sunlight.
Canary Islands Health Services (SCS), which oversees the local UV radiation prevention program, is urging residents and visitors who are engaged in inland or outdoor activities, to take extra precautions.
The agency has issued detailed guidelines to reduce the health effects of UV rays.
“Protection from the sun is a year-round responsibility,” SCS explained.
Some of their recommendations include applying SPF 50+ sunscreen every two hours, staying in the shade from 11am to 5pm, and using a wide hat and UV blocking sunglasses. They also warned that infants do not directly expose to the sun at less than 12 months.
According to the latest AEMET data, the Canary Islands experience the highest levels of UV radiation in Spain.
UV radiation can cause DNA damage, sunburn, and immunosuppression, which can increase the long-term risk of developing skin cancers such as melanoma and basal or squamous cell carcinoma.
Even on cool or cloudy days, UV rays can penetrate the clouds. In other words, care should still be taken. People with a family history of skin, light eyes and hair, or skin cancer, or those over 50 are particularly vulnerable.
