Martina, et. al.,
In the world of contradiction that we live in, perhaps some recent articles from the UK itself regarding the NEED for sunlight on the skin would help your authorities come to a better conclusion. (below) After reading these, one would conclude that it would be irresponsible for the school to not have a program that sends students out to watch their shadows move for 15 minutes once a week. And, if the need to prevent students from wrestling each other to the pavement fighting for the right to be the gnomon, paint multiple smaller dials on the pavement so that everyone in the class can simultaneously participate. Sell the sundial as a low cost timer for the students' treatments. Larry Bohlayer - Dec. 10, 2010 New guidance on vitamin D recommends midday sunshine By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News New health advice recommends short spells in the sun - without suncream and in the middle of the day. Seven organisations have issued joint advice on vitamin D, which the body gets from natural sunlight. The nutrient keeps bones strong, and protects against conditions like osteoporosis. The guidance was drawn up because it is thought fears about skin cancer have made people too cautious about being in the sun. Cancer Research UK and the National Osteoporosis Society are among the bodies which agree that "little and frequent" spells in summer sunshine several times a week can benefit your health. The experts now say it is fine to go outside in strong sun in the middle of the day, as long as you cover up or apply sunscreen before your skin goes red. Professor Rona Mackie, from the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "Total sun protection with high factor suncream on all the time is not ideal, in terms of vitamin D levels. "Even Australia has changed its policy on this. They're now producing charts showing parts of Australia where sun protection may not be required during some parts of the year." .rest of article at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12013332 - "Sunlight is the most effective way for the body to manufacture Vitamin D. Yet in the UK, our bodies can only manufacture Vitamin D from exposure to the sun during the months of May to October. Outside of these months, the sun is simply not strong enough. "MYTH: UNPROTECTED SUN EXPOSURE IS UNHEALTHY TRUTH: Although precautions do need to be taken, regular, moderate amounts of unprotected UV exposure are absolutely necessary for good health. Independent scientific research has shown that whether you live in a sunny or not-so-sunny climate, but expose yourself to sun, then your subsequent increased production of vitamin D will help lower the risk of a host of debilitating and fatal diseases including colon, breast, prostate and ovarian cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and depression." . rest of article at http://www.sunbedassociation.org.uk/vitamind.php - "Fair-skinned people only need around 15 minutes of direct sunlight to produce enough vitamin D to last for several days (although people with darker skin may need more exposure). And it's not suggested that this exposure to the sun has to be every day; instead, a few short exposures a week is considered to be plenty." .rest of article at http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/diet-fitness/soak-sun-%E2%80%94-benefits-vitam in-d-article-ulrb.html -
--------------------------------------------------- https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
