A review of the clinical and experimental information on atmospheric, earth and individual factors in skin carcinogenesis by sunlight is presented. The material available to the author indicates that the highest incidence of skin tumors occurs in the areas which are exposed and in subjects working in the open air. Finally, the author suggests that both carcinogenic and non carcinogenic photodynamic chemicals might have a variety of roles in cutaneous carcinogenesis. Excitement may occurr at a wavelength higher than the ultraviolet.
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