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Does Water Stop UV?

Published in UV Protection 1 min read

No, water does not completely stop UV radiation.

While water offers some protection from UV rays, it's not complete protection. According to research, even a few feet of water doesn't block all UV radiation:

  • Limited UV Blocking: Three feet of water only blocks about 20% of UV rays.

This means that UV rays can still penetrate the water and potentially cause sun damage.

The Extent of UV Protection in Water

Here is a breakdown of UV ray penetration in water:

Water Depth UV Ray Blockage
3 feet ~20%

Important Considerations

  • Sunscreen is Still Important: Even when swimming or in the water, it's crucial to wear sunscreen.
  • Cloudy Days: UV rays can still reach the Earth's surface, even on cloudy days. Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate clouds.

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