Gardening, amongst a slate of other home-friendly hobbies, has blossomed during the pandemic as homebound green-thumbs opt for a covid-proof alternative to getting outdoors.
American seed companies have reported up to six times more seed sales compared to an average, pre-pandemic busy season. In Australia, the sale of herb and vegetable plants increased by almost 30% over the course of the pandemic.
Where the great outdoors can do wonders for stress relief, the rise of hobby gardening has shed light on a lesser known yet certainly significant topic: intermittent sun exposure.
Irrespective of whether you opt to head out on a hike or immerse yourself in your home garden, the fact is still the same: getting outside goes hand-in-hand with UV exposure. Intermittent sun exposure is common amongst individuals who spend much of the week indoors and, in an effort to capitalize on their free time, spend the bulk of their weekends outdoors soaking up the sun.
In fact, a study published by the University of Melbourne revealed a significant increase in the risk of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) amongst individuals experiencing infrequent yet intense levels of UV radiation. Their data suggests there is a higher risk of BCC associated with intermittent sun exposure than with more frequent and consistent doses of UV radiation.*
The risks associated with intermittent sun exposure remind us of the fact that UV damage is cumulative, and rather than discouraging us from going outdoors, we need only to remember to do so safely.
Solbari wishes to empower you to embrace the outdoors with the peace of mind that comes with sun protection you can trust. All Solbari fabrics are independently tested and awarded the maximum UPF50+ sun protection rating by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Australian Government’s regulatory agency.
You can find out more about Solbari's sun protective range by clicking the blue links below:
*Kricker, A, and Armstrong, BK, et al. "Does Intermittent Sun Exposure Cause Basal-Cell Carcinoma - A Case-Control Study in Western-Australia". International Journal of Cancer, vol.60,no.4, 1995, pp. 489-494. doi:10.1002/ijc.2910600411
