Lab Notes: Why UV levels are so high in Australia episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 13, 2026 · 14 MIN

Lab Notes: Why UV levels are so high in Australia

from The Science Show - Separate stories podcast · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Australia's summer UV levels are high enough to cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes.Yet the summer sun in the Northern Hemisphere rarely feels that full on.So why does our sunlight have that extra "bite"?Spoiler: it's not the hole in the ozone layer.You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: [email protected]: David Whiteman, medical epidemiologist and Cancer Control group leader at QIMR BerghoferMore information:Why is UV so high during Australia's summer? The ozone hole is not to blameCancer Council — UV RadiationWorld Health Organization — Radiation: The ultraviolet (UV) indexCSIRO — The future of the ozone holeThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.

Australia's summer UV levels are high enough to cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes. Yet the summer sun in the Northern Hemisphere rarely feels that full on. So why does our sunlight have that extra "bite"? Spoiler: it's not the hole in the ozone layer. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more. Get in touch with us: [email protected]  Featuring:  David Whiteman, medical epidemiologist and Cancer Control group leader at QIMR Berghofer More information: Why is UV so high during Australia's summer? The ozone hole is not to blame Cancer Council — UV Radiation World Health Organization — Radiation: The ultraviolet (UV) index CSIRO — The future of the ozone hole This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.

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Lab Notes: Why UV levels are so high in Australia

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This episode was published on January 13, 2026.

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Australia's summer UV levels are high enough to cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes.Yet the summer sun in the Northern Hemisphere rarely feels that full on.So why does our sunlight have that extra "bite"?Spoiler: it's not the hole in the ozone...

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