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Healthy forecasts

18 July 2012

Our health forecasts keep people well throughout the year, but in summertime our pollen and UV forecasts really come into their own.

The sun has both positive and negative effects on health, so knowing when and how to stay safe is important. That's why we're helping people to reduce the risks of sun cancer and damage, but still enjoy the benefits of the sun.

Our forecasts warn of increased risk to health from UV radiation by taking into account the position of the sun, cloud cover and ozone amounts in the stratosphere. The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity (Skcin) took over sponsorship of our UV forecasts in April.

Hayfever seasons vary, but spring and summer are when people commonly suffer from pollen allergies. Symptoms can seriously impact on the well-being of some people, so we manage the only pollen count monitoring network in the UK.

Using information from our network, our weather data and expertise from organisations such as the National Pollen and Aerobiological Unit at the University of Worcester and PollenUK, we produce forecasts to support allergy and hay fever sufferers.

Our pollen forecasts, sponsored by Benadryl this year, mean that people can cope with the hayfever season, helping them through one of the most difficult times of the year.

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