By Claire Witschger, PharmD, RPh
Pharmacy Resident, Blanchard Valley Health System
With the summer months in full swing, school is out and vacations have started to take place. As we enjoy the warmer weather, it is important to remember the importance of sun safety. While the sun and ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be beneficial for vitamin D synthesis and can increase mood, it is also responsible for numerous damaging effects on the human skin. Some of the effects of unprotected sun exposure include sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer. With these risks, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen and sun safety practices to reduce the harmful effects of UV exposure.
The two different types of UV rays are UVA and UVB. It is estimated that up to 95% of the ultraviolet rays that reach the earth are UVA; this radiation leads to skin aging, darkening of skin pigmentation and skin cancer. The other 5% of ultraviolet radiation is caused by UVB radiation; this type of radiation leads to sunburns, inflammation and skin cancer. Ways to avoid excessive sun exposure include avoiding midday sun when possible (between 10:00 a.m. and 4:-- p.m.); wearing light-colored, protective clothing to cover exposed skin; using window films that block UV rays for cars and homes; and wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen.
In an annual collaborative program, Ada churches will be handing out backpacks and school supplies for Ada students in grades K-12.
From 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday July 31 at the Ada Schools front parking lot, the Bulldog Backpack Blessings project take place thanks the following sponsors:
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” a natural gas and oil extraction method that has been used throughout the country for more than a decade, is episodically reducing small Eastern Ohio River basin stream levels, an Ohio Northern University study found. The fluctuations, the authors warn, could be negatively impacting aquatic life in those areas – a situation that, if confirmed by more studies and monitoring, would warrant additional environmental protection measures.
The Ada summer swim team stands seventh in the eight-team West Ohio Aquatic League championship meet after day one of competition at Kenton.
Dominating Bluffton leads the overall standings, as well as the boys and girls standings.
The Alligator boys are sixth, while the Ada girls sit seventh after the first day of 40 completed events. Forty-two events remain to be contested Saturday.
Ada’s Kyleigh Nau won the 25 freestyle for the 7-8 girls age group. She also took second in another individual race.
Landry Harriger captured three second-place finishes in the boys 9-10 division.
Gator Olivia Agozzino touched third in three individual events in the girls 11-12 bracket.
More than 500 swimmers competed on day one of the 41st annual Elks Invitational meet championships. The meet is for swimmers aged 5-18 who are members of a league team.
