Author Description

In recent years depletion of atmospheric ozone has lead to increased levels of ultraviolet radiation at the earth's surface. As a result, the effects of ultraviolet radiation on plants, animals and humans has become an urgent concern. Public health agencies have encouraged changes in behavior and the use of sunscreens to limit exposure. Ultraviolet A radiation (UVA), that is long wavelength ultraviolet, has been implicated in phototoxic reactions to drugs, photoaging of skin, skin cancer, and immune system alterations. The impetus for this volume was the proliferation of UVA absorbing sunscreens, designed to protect human skin from the chronic effects of repeated exposure to solar UVA. The problem of how to determine the protective effect of UVA sunscreens is a major concern in industry and science. Frederick Urbach, widely acknowledged leader in the field, has assembled an international panel of experts under the auspices of the American Society for Photobiology, the foremost scientific society dealing with the effects of light in biological systems. Their contributions comprise the most complete, authoritative and up-to-date treatment of the biological effects of UVA radiation currently available.