The ultraviolet rays across the island have reached harmful levels as the temperature kept rising over the past few days. And just 15 minutes of exposure to the sun may cause sunburns. The Environmental Protection Administration said that it's likely that the UV level will remain high for the next few days, and people in southern Taiwan are advised to avoid going out during noontime. Pedestrians are using whatever they can get to block the sun, from file folders to umbrellas, and even sleeves. The temperatures have soared in southern Taiwan these days, and people just avoid going out, unless it's necessary. The Environmental Protection Administration said that the UV level detected at Kaohsiung's Xiaogang station has exceeded 11 during the time between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the past few days. The level has far exceeded the dangerous level, with the highest level ever detected at 13. The EPA says that the situation is likely to continue in the following days. Normally speaking, during the summer days between June to September, the UV level is usually this high. However, while exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable, too much can be harmful. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can result in painful sunburn and it can even lead to more serious conditions such as reddish and inflamed skin and even blisters. As dermatologists are seeing an increasing number of patients suffering from sunburns, they also suggest the public to avoid going out during the time between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or avoid going to the beaches or mountainous areas where the radiation level is particularly higher.