Background. During the recent 10 years the ozone layer has decreased while ultralviolet radiation has increased in Santiago, Chile. Aim To determine whether the number of sunburns in children correlate with ultraviolet radiation in Santiago. Subjects and methods: During six Austral Summers (1996-2001) children below 15 years old, consulting for sunburn, were evaluated it The "Corporation for the Aid of Burned Children" (COANIQUEM) in Santiago (33.5degreesS). The number of children with sunburns during each Summer was compared with The corresponding UV-B radiation and the ozone thickness, to establish a probable relation between a geophysical change and its consequences in skin health. The ozone layer values were obtained from the NASA WEB-page and The ultraviolet radiation was measured with a four-channel medium resolution radiometer. Results. In each Summer there, was a predominance of sunburns among boys and among ages between 6 and 10 years. During the 96-97 Austral Summer; the highest number of children with sunburns (63) was diagnosed. That Summer also bad the highest mean UV-305 nm radiation with an important amount of days with ozone less than or equal to260 Dobson Units. Only during that Summer an inverse correlation between ozone and UV-305 nm radiation was detected. At the same time the maximal values of Erythemal Dose Rate (33 muWatt cm(-2)), UV Index (13) and Erythemal Daily Dose (7.500Joule m(-2)) were observed. Conclusions: In Santiago, summers with a higher number of days with low ozone protection seem to reappear every 3 years, Understanding the interaction of physical processes that control the ozone layer, may help to design bello, photo-protection programs for human health.