Environment and Health

Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation Data

Overexposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), such as tanning beds, can be harmful to skin and eyes. UVR is a major cause of skin cancer. [1]

Sun Safety

A key recommendation from the National Consensus Process on the Recommended Core Content for Sun Safety Messages in Canada is to protect one’s skin and eyes as much as possible when the UV Index is 3 or higher. [2]

  • Based on Environment Canada forecast data, 96% of the days between May 1 and October 1 2018 were forecasted to have a UV Index of 3 or higher. [3]
  • 65% of Ottawa residents (aged 12 years and older) reported that they protect their skin from the sun by often or always seeking shade; wearing a hat that shades the face, ears, and neck; wearing long pants or skirts; and using sun screen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 on the face and body. [4] More residents in Ottawa protect their skin from the sun than in Ontario-less-Ottawa (61%). Younger individuals were more likely to protect their skin than older individuals (71% of 12 to 19 year-olds vs. 51% of 65+ year-olds).  Ottawa residents with higher household income were more likely to protect their skin from the sun compared to those with lower household income (Figure 1). 
  • 57% of Ottawa residents (aged 12 years and older) reported that they protect their eyes from the sun by often or always wearing sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat. [4] More residents in Ottawa protect their eyes from the sun in this way than in Ontario-less-Ottawa (53%). Over 60% of 20 to 64 year-olds protected their eyes, compared with 41% and 45% of 12 to 19 and 65+ year-olds, respectively.  Ottawa residents with higher household income were more likely to protect their skin from the sun compared to those with lower household income (Figure 1). 
  • Over one third (35%) of Ottawa residents (aged 12 years and older) reported that they had a sunburn in the past year, higher than the Ontario-less-Ottawa average of 30%. [4] Getting sunburned varies by age:  43% of 12 to19 year-olds vs. 10% of 65+ year-olds reported a sunburn.  Ottawa residents with higher household income were more likely to report having a sunburn compared to those with lower household income (Figure 1), which is consistent across Canada. [5]

Figure 1. Percentage of Ottawa residents (12 years and older) reporting sun behaviours during the past year by household income quintile, 2015-16

Vertical bar chart of the percentage of Ottawa residents reporting sun behaviours during the past year by household income quintile, 2015-16.

 Data Source and Notes for Figure 1

Ottawa Public Health. Canadian Community Health Survey 2015/16. Ontario Share File. Statistics Canada.

  • The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) is an annual national population health survey conducted by Statistics Canada.
  • Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals.
  • Household income quintile (Q1 to Q5) is a measure of household income relative to all other survey respondents in Ottawa, adjusted for household size. A respondent in Q1 would be in the lowest 20% of household incomes and a respondent in Q5 would be in the highest 20% of household incomes.
 Data Table for Figure 1
Table 1. Percent of Ottawa residents (12 years and older) reporting sun behaviours during the past year by household income quintile, 2015-16

Sun behaviour

Household income quintile

Percent

Lower 95% CI

Upper 95% CI

Protected skin in past year

1

54.4

45.6

62.9

Protected skin in past year

2

64.5

55.9

72.2

Protected skin in past year

3

61.4

53.2

69.0

Protected skin in past year

4

70.6

62.4

77.7

Protected skin in past year

5

70.8

63.2

77.4

Protected eyes in past year

1

42.2

33.6

51.4

Protected eyes in past year

2

52.5

44.8

60.0

Protected eyes in past year

3

60.2

51.2

68.6

Protected eyes in past year

4

64.6

56.8

71.7

Protected eyes in past year

5

66.7

59.9

72.8

Had sunburn in past year

1

18.9

13.9

25.0

Had sunburn in past year

2

32.6

25.0

41.3

Had sunburn in past year

3

38.4

30.4

47.1

Had sunburn in past year

4

36.0

28.8

43.9

Had sunburn in past year

5

46.9

39.7

54.3

Tanning Bed/Equipment Use 

Another recommendation from the National Consensus Process on the Recommended Core Content for Sun Safety Messages in Canada is to avoid using UV tanning equipment and to avoid getting a sunburn. [2]  The Ontario Skin Prevention Act (Tanning Beds) bans anyone under 18 years of age from using Ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment. UV light emitting devices such as tanning beds and lamps are carcinogenic to humans, regardless of age. [1]

  • 3%* of Ottawa adults (aged 18 years and older) reported using a tanning bed or lamp at least once in the past year, which is the same in Ontario-less-Ottawa. [4] There are insufficient data to describe the relationship between household income and tanning behaviour.
 Data Notes for Tanning Bed/Equipment Use
 *Interpret with caution due to high sampling variability

Environment and Health Reports

 Climate Change and Public Health in Ottawa - 2025 Surveillance Report
This report highlights local data related to climate change and the five climate change hazards identified as top health risks in the Ottawa area in OPH’s Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessments (CCHVAs): extreme heat, vector-borne diseases, wildfire smoke, food- and water-borne illnesses, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The data and analyses in this report build upon previous work completed for the CCHVAs and include an additional section on the mental health impacts of climate change.

* Please note that there is an error in Climate Change and Public Health in Ottawa 2025 Surveillance Report in Figure 33 on page 60, and in the Data table for Figure 33 on page 143. In both places, the Ontario-less-Ottawa Rate for 2024 was incorrectly displayed as 27.1 per 100,000 population and should be corrected to 13.1 per 100,000 population.

References

References
  1. International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Volume 100D. A review of human carcinogens. Part D: Radiation. Lyon, FR: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2012.
  2. Marrett LD, Chu MB, Atkinson J, Nuttall R, Bromfield G, Hershfield L, Rosen CF. An update to the recommended core content for sun safety messages for public education in Canada: A consensus report. Can J Public Health. 2016 Dec 27;107(4-5):e473-e479. doi: 10.17269/cjph.107.5556.
  3. Environment Canada, Canadian Daily UV Index Forecast. 2018. Available from: https://weather.gc.ca/forecast/public_bulletins_e.html?Bulletin=fpcn48.cwao
  4. Ottawa Public Health. Canadian Community Health Survey 2015/16. Ontario Share File. Statistics Canada.
  5. Pinault  L, Fioletov V. Sun exposure, sun protection and sunburn among Canadian adults. Health Reports. Statistics Canada. 2017. Available from:  https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2017005/article/14792-eng.htm#n12

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