The foam padded frame provides extra protection for wind and airborne particles, while enhancing comfort. OSHA compliance isn’t an issue as the Go-Specs II meet ANSI Z87.1-2010, CE EN-166 and Military Ballistic Standards.

The article Sun Safety: What to Do Before, During & After Sun Exposure provided tips for enjoying the sun and keeping protected from its harmful rays at the same time. Today’s post provides information regarding unique situations and elements to consider for complete sun safety.

Special Considerations

Various factors influence the severity of sun damage. Be sure to keep the following special considerations in mind with regard to sun exposure.

AGE – While everyone needs to use caution with sun exposure, children and the elderly need additional consideration.

• Children get most of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18, so they need more sun protection during that time.
• The elderly and infants both have very thin skin making them even more sensitive to sunburn.

Children and the elderly need to stay covered as much as possible and to consistently wear sunscreen.

SKIN – First consider skin complexion. According to the American Cancer Society, while any skin shade can be damaged by the sun, individuals with lighter skin are especially at risk.

Other factors relating to the skin that increase the possibility of severe sun damage and cancer include:

• Having had skin cancer previously
• Having a family history of skin cancer
• Having lots of moles, having freckles and burning before tanning.

Protection in these situations is the same as with the elderly and children, cover up and wear sunscreen.

INSECT REPELLENTS AND MAKEUP – Both can decrease the effectiveness of sunscreen. Experts at the American Cancer Society recommend putting sunscreen on before applying makeup and/or insect repellent. Sunscreen needs to be right next to the skin to be most effective.

In addition, insect repellent can reduce the SPF of sunscreen by up to 1/3, so increase the SPF and reapply sunscreen more often when pairing with insect repellent.

LOCATION – Because the sun is stronger near the equator, getting sunburned happens more quickly. Also, the sun is more intense in high altitudes with thinner air and thinner cloud cover. So don’t forget to reapply sunscreen often and to wear a higher SPF in warmer and higher locations.

Additional Thoughts

Some less-thought-of aspects regarding sun exposure involve the UV Index, Vitamin D and alternative tanning methods.

UV INDEX – According to the US EPA, “the UV index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways to prevent sun overexposure.” It helps know when to avoid being in the sun and when being outside is safer. The National Weather Service and EPA issues the UV Index forecast daily to help plan outdoor activities.

VITAMIN D – Most people realize we get Vitamin D from being in the sun. However, some sources believe that getting Vitamin D safely means getting it “from your diet or vitamin supplements rather than from sun exposure.” Other sources, such as The Archives of Internal Medicine, state that, “summer is a great time to stock up on the nutrient.” And most people will admit that being in the sun for a little bit each day helps elevate mood, which Vitamin D is noted to be associated with doing. If you seek sun exposure to increase Vitamin D levels, do so minimally.

ALTERNATIVE TANNING – The American Cancer Society notes that while tanning lotions and pills claim to give a tan without sun exposure, users should proceed with caution. Some may be safe and effective, others may not work, and still others could be harmful. Do your research on products before using.

With certainty, though, all scientific sources indicate the danger of tanning beds. The EPA states that everyone should avoid tanning beds because “UV light from tanning beds… causes skin cancer and wrinkling.” In addition, the American Cancer Society reports that “people who use tanning beds are more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than never users, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota.”

Combine the tips given in Sun Safety: What to Do Before, During & After Sun Exposure with the special considerations and additional thoughts in this article to ensure receiving the best possible protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

Ballistic Eyewear like the ESS Crossbow provide protection from extreme impact hazards found on the battfield

Although the U.S. Military is drawing down in several areas (Afghanistan for example), the importance of ballistic-rated eye protection is not going away and has in fact become a mainstay of our armed forces. In addition, the use of ballistic-rated eyewear has started to trickle down into non-military applications.

What is ballistic & tactical eyewear, & how does it differ from other eyewear?

In basic terms, ballistic refers to a free-moving object, such as a missile or cannon, fired from a fixed site. The term tactical refers to activity, such as bombing or using weapons, that usually supports military operations. Ballistic and tactical eyewear protects wearers from the dangers associated with these and similar situations.

In addition, ballistic and tactical eyewear provides additional protection in harsh military environments, such as the Middle East with its intense heat and frequent dust storms, and it does so at a standard well beyond those found for industrial-rated safety eye protection.

While ballistic-rated safety glasses and sunglasses are becoming one of the fastest growing segments of protective eyewear both inside and outside the military, there still seems to be a considerable amount of confusion over what actually classifies eyewear as ballistic rated.  The two terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but not all ballistic eyewear is necessarily intended for tactical use, and not all tactical eyewear is ballistic (though it should be).

The U.S. Military has issued rigorous ballistic tests that safety eyewear and sunglasses worn by military personnel have to pass. These tests, conducted in a field environment, include subjecting eyewear to projectiles at over four times the velocity of normal ANSI Z87.1 testing, the standard for industrial safety eyewear. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) tests projectiles at 150 fps, while the military requires testing projectiles at 650 (+/- 10) fps for spectacles and 550 fps for goggles.

Smith Elite Eyewear provided this chart to quickly show the differences between ANSI Z87.1 and the Military Ballistic Standards.

According to The Army Vision and Conservation Readiness Program, in addition to impact safety requirements, the U.S. Army also wants eyewear to be functional, reasonably comfortable, to not have bright colors or distracting design, and to be able to be disinfected.

The military’s standards are outlined in the MCEP (Military Combat Eye Protection) Program, created by the Army’s PEO (Program Executive Office) Soldier authority, and the two main Military Ballistic Standards used for testing are MIL-PRF-31013 (spectacles) and MIL-DTL-43511D (goggles).

The Advanced Planning Briefing for Industry describes MCEP as “the umbrella program” with the purpose of:

• Protecting eyes from external hazards including fragmentation, electromagnetic radiation, wind, sand and dust.
• Providing vision correction to accommodate those needing corrective lenses.
• Encouraging use in the field by providing variety in choices of sizes and styles.
• Encouraging feedback to promote improved design.

Oakley Tactical eyewear like the Ballistic M Frame 3.0 is designed to fit under communication headsets used by today’s modern soldiers.

This briefing also details the requirements for submitting product to be considered for APEL (Authorized Protective Eyewear List), which is modified yearly as models improve and new models are submitted. For more information on MCEP Standards, see “Understanding U.S. Military Eye Protection (MCEP) Standards.”

(Note: In the European military, standards are set up a bit differently with the European EN166 standard identifying four levels of ballistic protection.)

The Advanced Planning Briefing for Industry also states that all APEL eyewear must bear the APEL logo, which is the single-best way to know eyewear is approved for military standards.

The military insists that personnel only wear approved eye protection not simply to have another regulation on its books, but because there is a significant need for a protection standard beyond what typically works for the civilian population.

How great is the need for ballistic and tactical eyewear in the military?

Congress increased battlefield eye injury research to $10 million this year.

The Official Homepage of the United States Army recently published an article titled “Eye doctors teach combat trauma management” that illustrated the tremendous need for ballistic and tactical eyewear protection for individuals in the armed forces.

Consider the following information presented by these doctors:

• Combat ocular trauma has stabilized due to widely implemented eye protection in the military.
• The vast majority of combat eye injuries are due to explosion from high energy projectiles and improvised explosive devices rather than from gun shots or explosions.
• Combat ocular trauma is more complicated and more likely to involve more than one body system than is civilian ocular trauma.

And the U.S. Congress apparently agrees with the importance of better eye care for our nation’s military since it has budgeted $10M for research.

The Military.com article “Congress Budgets $10M for Eye-Injury Research,” says that Defense Department statistics show the following startling data:

• About 15% of injuries from battlefield trauma are to the eyes.
• In just the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, there were more than 200,000 eye-related injuries to military personnel.
• About 75% of military personnel suffering traumatic brain injury also have eyesight problems.
• Approximately 70% of our total sensory awareness comes from eyesight, making vision the most critical of the five senses, especially in combat conditions.

These statistics show the necessity of this funding and stress the importance of research for treating eye injury. They also serve to emphasize the importance of prevention through ballistic and tactical eyewear.

The need for ballistic and tactical eye protection extends well beyond military application, though, and into many areas of civilian life as well.  We’ll explore this in the next segment.  To be continued…

Not only are most skin cancers preventable, the sun damages more than just the skin. Fortunately, many options exist for enjoying the sun and being protected from its harmful rays. Apply these tips to help you enjoy the sun, be safe from harmful UV rays, and recover from sun damage.

Before Sun Exposure

• Avoid Sunburn – Sunburn and tanning are both just short-term effects of sun damage. Long-term effects include premature skin aging, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches, pre-cancer and cancer. Avoid sunburn and tanning whenever possible.
• Apply Sunscreen - While sunscreen does provide protection from the sun, it does not provide 100% protection against UV rays. To get the full benefit of sunscreen, first read labels before buying to ensure choosing the best protection possible. Second, understand what the numbers on the bottle mean. Third, note the expiration date on the sunscreen and act accordingly. Finally, apply sunscreen liberally. Approximately a palmful provides adequate protection, and follow product directions for reapplication.
• Check Medications - Many medications increase sun sensitivity and burning rate. A doctor or pharmacist can tell you if your medication makes you more susceptible to sun damage, but know that antibiotics and acne medications are common culprits.

During Sun Exposure

• Wear Protective Clothing – Cover as much skin as possible, especially the longer you are in the sun. Some clothing now comes with sun protection factor, but any clothing you can’t see the sun through blocks at least some of the harmful rays. There are even products you can buy that are used in washing machines to add UV protection to clothing.
• Wear a Hat - Hats with 2-3” brims all the way around provide sun protection to the head and neck. While most people wear either a baseball cap or a straw hat, keep their limitations in mind. A baseball cap, for instance, does not protect the neck and ears, and straw hats tend to have loose weaves that let sunlight through to skin.
• Wear Sunglasses - Sunglasses that block UV rays not only protect eyes from sun damage, they also protect areas around the eyes. Ideal sunglasses should block 99-100% of UV rays. Dark sunglasses aren’t naturally better because the sun protection comes from an invisible coating applied to lenses, and large-framed and wrap-around sunglasses provide the most comprehensive protection. Finally, realize that a sunglasses price doesn’t predict its ability to protect eyes. In fact, a wide range of sunglasses in various prices and features all protect eyes from the sun. Simply make sure sunglasses are labeled as blocking 99-100% of UV rays.
• Seek Shade - When the sun’s rays are at their strongest, no amount of sunscreen or clothing provides total protection against sun damage. At times, the best protection is seeking shade. Remember that when you can’t see your shadow, the sun is at its strongest.

Sunburn Care

Sometimes, even though we do our best to prevent sunburn something gets missed or forgotten. The result: painful sunburn. When this happens, take action to alleviate the discomfort and aid healing. Common methods include taking a cool bath, applying aloe vera gel, taking anti-inflammatory medication and applying moisturizing cream. If sunburn is severe enough for blisters to develop, see your doctor.

Taking the proper precautions goes a long way in preventing sunburn as well as its short and long-term effects. The post “Sun Safety: Special Considerations & Additional Thoughts” will bring this discussion of sun safety full circle by discussing some unique situations and elements that need considered in order to truly be safe in the sun.

Don’t Let Eye Allergies Ruin Your Summer

Spring has sprung and Summer is just around the corner, which means allergy season is in full swing. Common substances such as tree pollen’s  dust and pet dander can make your eyes miserable. If you suffer from red, itchy, watery eyes more than likely you’re suffering from eye allergies.

Feel free to blame your parents for this problem as most eye allergies are usually hereditary (thanks Dad). Fortunately there are are ways to help prevent or reduce your symptoms.

1. While spending time outdoors, wear wrap-around sunglasses or safety glasses to help keep allergens away from your eyes. If your eyewear features polycarbonate lenses, you’ll get the added benefit of 99.9% UV protection as well.
2. When driving around keep your car windows closed. Not only will this keep allergens from being rammed into your eyes, but it will help keep the interior of your car cleaner.
3. Replace the air filters in your home on a regular basis. These nifty devices help keep allergens, such as pollen, dust and pet dander out of your home, but if your filters haven’t been changed in awhile, they may be doing more harm than good.
4. Reduce your exposure to Dust Mites by encasing your pillow in allergen reducing covers. Wash your sheets in water that’s at least 130 F.
5. Check the pollen reports on your favorite weather app and try to stay inside on high-pollen days. If you have no choice and need to spend the day outside, make sure to shower, wash your hair and change clothes as soon as possible to remove allergens.
6. Try to keep your pets off the furniture and frequently vacuum your floor and furniture with a HEPA filter equipped vacuum. Avoid touching your eyes after handling pets and give “Fido” a bath if he’s been outside rolling around in high allergen areas.
7. Schedule an exam with your eye doctor, they can provide advice on allergy specific eye drops and make sure you don’t have an underlying dry eye condition, which may be mistaken as eye allergies.

By limiting your exposure to allergens you’ll take a big step towards relief. And that means you’ll be able to enjoy the Spring and Summer even more.

Feel free to share any tips or advice you have on eye allergy prevention or relief in our comments section below.

Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality

OSHA states that while it does not have standards in place that employers must follow for IAQ, employers are required to “follow the General Duty Clause of the OSHAct, which requires them to provide workers with a safe workplace that does not have any known hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury.”

Within the General Duty Clause, employers should be aware of any hazards that are detrimental to the health of employees. OSHA further states that “the qualities of good IAQ should include comfortable temperature and humidity, adequate supply of fresh outdoor air, and control of pollutants from inside and outside of the building.”

The Environmental Protection Agency says there are 3 basic strategies for improving IAQ. Included with those three strategies are tips for ways to improve poor IAQ and maintain good IAQ. The sources are provided by a variety of sources including the EPA, the Oregon Environmental Council and the PR Newswire and present a sampling of the ways to properly manage IAQ.

1. Source Control. This involves eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing their emissions. This can be as simple as storing food and disposing of garbage properly. It can also mean avoiding using items that aren’t necessary and that could be potentially harmful. Source control also involves putting “scraper” mats by doors to eliminate contaminants brought in on people’s shoes as well as mopping floors regularly to clean away contaminants.
2. Ventilation. This means increasing the flow of air from the outside as well as making sure ventilation within a building is not hindered by things such as furniture and equipment. Good IAQ also involves paying attention to a building’s heating, ventilation and HVAC system, such as by cleaning such systems regularly to remove buildup.
3. Air cleaners. Replacing filters regularly is essential for air cleaners in any building to work properly for maintaining good IAQ. HEPA filters can also be used on vacuums to help eliminate allergens. Another tip is keeping dehumidifiers and air conditioners at optimal range for keeping allergens at bay. And sometimes, wearing a particle respirator might be in an employee’s best interest for preventing inhaling of harmful dust, fumes, vapors and gas.

While the above tips provide ideas to consider when looking at a building’s IAQ, keep in mind that every situation is different. Each business should develop an IAQ policy to suit the unique needs of its situation.

Another consideration is to note that even though we’ve become more environmentally conscious, IAQ has not necessarily improved. Dr. Philip Landrigan, the Dean for Global Health at Mount Sinai of Medicine in New York, says this is because “business buildings today are sealed much tighter to keep interior air cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The downside is that this can also lock-in contaminants. The basic lesson for every health-minded person is to keep attuned to the quality of the air you breathe — no matter the season.”