Indicator to warn about sunburns
A new technology that could warn sunbathers of the risk of burning would be a welcome advance. Professor Mills at the University of Strathclyde reported on a thin film device, developed by his team, which uses UV rays to drive a chemical reaction that turns colour on an indicator. This device could be worn on the body or on clothes. Once the indicator changes colour, from yellow to pink, the wearer would be warned to get out of the sun. Sun tanning is still very much in vogue despite warnings about skin cancer and other skin diseases. This new device, when available, will help to focus on the dangers of sunburns, as it is closely linked to skin cancer. Unfortunately, it will not prevent burns caused in tanning bed. But that may just be the next step in the development of the indicator device.
