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Schmalwieser AW. Possibilities to estimate the personal UV radiation exposure from ambient UV radiation measurements. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2021; 19:1249-1261. [PMID: 32794538 DOI: 10.1039/d0pp00182a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
People are exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) throughout their entire lives. Exposure to UVR is vital but also poses serious risks. The quantification of human UVR exposure is a complex issue. Personal UVR exposure is related to ambient UVR as well as to a variety of factors such as the orientation of the exposed anatomical site with respect to the sun and the duration of exposure. This is mainly determined by personal behaviour. A variety of efforts have been made in the past to measure or model the personal UVR exposure of people and often personal UVR exposure has been expressed as the percentage of ambient UVR. On the other hand, ambient UVR is being monitored at a variety of places and measurements are available even online. This suggests that both the knowledge of personal UVR exposure and measurements of ambient UVR is required. In this paper, a summary on the different methods, which use ambient UVR measurements to estimate personal UVR exposure of people, as well as a few examples, are given. Advantages and disadvantages will be discussed as well as possibilities and limitations. This also includes an overview of appropriate terminology, units and basic statistic parameters to describe personal UVR exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alois W Schmalwieser
- Institute of Biophysics and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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Deng Y, Zhang C, Zheng Y, Li R, Hua H, Lu Y, Gurram N, Chen R, OuYang N, Zhang S, Liu Y, Hu L. Effect of Protective Measures on Eye Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Photochem Photobiol 2020; 97:205-212. [PMID: 32875566 DOI: 10.1111/php.13327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, ocular biologically effective exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVBE) is investigated with six kinds of sun protective measures (spectacle lenses, sunglasses, cap, bonnet, straw hat and under parasol). Ocular UV exposure measurements were performed on manikins during the summer period in Shenyang city (41.64° N, 123.50° E, 66 m a.s.l.), China. The measurements include the ocular UV exposure of an unprotected eye and the ambient UV as a control concurrently. Based on the relative spectral weighting factors of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), the ocular biologically effective UV is calculated and compared with the 8-h exposure limits of ICNIRP (30 J m-2 ). The UV index (UVI) of the measurement days is 0-8, and the 8-h (8:00-16:00 China Standard Time, CST) cumulated UVBE of the unprotected eye is 452.0 J m-2 . The 8-h cumulated UVBE of the eye with spectacle lenses, sunglasses, cap, bonnet, straw hat and under parasol are 364.2, 69.1, 51.4, 49.0, 56.8 and 110.2 J m-2 , respectively. Importantly, it should be noted that the eye could be exposed to risk despite protective measures. The 8-h cumulated UVBE of the eye with protection is ca 1.6-15.1 times the exposure limit, respectively. As indicated in the present study, during summer months, high exposure to the sun for more than 30 min without eye protection and more than 1 h with eye protection is not advisable. The protection measures could effectively reduce the UVBE reaching the eye, yet there is still a high degree of risk when compared with the ICNIRP 8-h exposure limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Deng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Rui Li
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Hua
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingjie Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Namratha Gurram
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY
| | - Rentong Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - NanNing OuYang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Health Inspection and Supervision Institute of Guangzhou Railway Bureau, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shumin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liwen Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Tizek L, Schielein MC, Berger U, Ege MJ, Schneider S, Zink A. Skin cancer risk and shade: comparing the risk of foresters with other outdoor workers. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34:2526-2533. [PMID: 32365247 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) is an increasingly important public health problem with an especially high prevalence in outdoor workers. In contrast to other occupations, foresters spend most of their outdoor time under the shade of trees. OBJECTIVES We aimed to compare the unique sun exposure patterns and sun protection behaviour of foresters with those of other outdoor workers and their relation to the KC risk. METHODS In July 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted at an international forestry fair using a questionnaire about health awareness and skin cancer screening by dermatologists to assess the prevalence of KC. RESULTS A total of 591 participants (78.7% male; mean age 46.8 ± 16.2 years) including 193 foresters were enrolled. Of all foresters, 72% experienced sunburns (solar erythema) within the past year and 50% of them experienced the worst sunburn during work. Foresters were most likely to often/always wear protective clothes (29.0%) but were least likely to often/always avoid midday sun (23.8%) and stay in the shade (31.1%). Having an outdoor profession or spending hours outside for leisure was negatively associated with sun protection. Skin examination revealed an overall KC prevalence of 16.7%, with 16.5% of foresters being affected. CONCLUSION Despite being protected by trees, the risk of KC for foresters is comparable to that of other professional groups. Shade alone may not provide sufficient protection. Additional sun protection measures are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tizek
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.,Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M C Schielein
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.,Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - U Berger
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M J Ege
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Schneider
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine (MIPH), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - A Zink
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
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Abstract
Climate change is associated with shifts in global weather patterns, especially an increase in ambient temperature, and is deemed a formidable threat to human health. Skin cancer, a non-communicable disease, has been underexplored in relation to a changing climate. Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the major environmental risk factor for skin cancer. South Africa is situated in the mid-latitudes and experiences relatively high levels of sun exposure with summertime UV Index values greater than 10. The incidence of skin cancer in the population group with fair skin is considered high, with cost implications relating to diagnosis and treatment. Here, the relationship between skin cancer and several environmental factors likely to be affected by climate change in South Africa are discussed including airborne pollutants, solar UVR, ambient temperature and rainfall. Recommended strategies for personal sun protection, such as shade, clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, may change as human behaviour adapts to a warming climate. Further research and data are required to assess any future impact of climate change on the incidence of skin cancer in South Africa.
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Occupational Exposure to Solar UV Radiation of a Group of Fishermen Working in the Italian North Adriatic Sea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16163001. [PMID: 31434335 PMCID: PMC6719225 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16163001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Occupational solar radiation exposure is a relevant heath risk in the fishing sector. Our aim was to provide a detailed evaluation of individual UV exposure in three different fishing activities in Italy, with personal UV dosimeters and a simple formula to calculate the fraction of ambient erythemal UV dose received by the workers. The potential individual UV exposure of the fishermen was between 65 and 542 Joules/m2. The percentages of the ambient exposure were estimated between 2.5% and 65.3%. Workers’ UV exposure was mainly influenced by the characteristics of the work activity, the postures adopted, and the type of boats. Overall, our data showed that 43% of the daily measurements could result largely above the occupational limits of 1–1.3 standard erythemal dose (i.e., 100 Joules/m2) per day, in case of exposure of uncovered skin areas. Measurements of individual UV exposure are important not only to assess the risk but also to increase workers’ perception and stimulate the adoption of preventive measures to reduce solar UV risk. Furthermore, the simple method proposed, linking ambient erythemal UV dose to the workers’ exposure, can be a promising tool for a reliable assessment of the UV risk, as time series of environmental UV dose are widely available.
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Bais AF, Bernhard G, McKenzie RL, Aucamp PJ, Young PJ, Ilyas M, Jöckel P, Deushi M. Ozone-climate interactions and effects on solar ultraviolet radiation. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2019; 18:602-640. [PMID: 30810565 DOI: 10.1039/c8pp90059k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This report assesses the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion and anticipated ozone recovery on the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at the Earth's surface. Interactions between changes in ozone and changes in climate, as well as their effects on UV radiation, are also considered. These evaluations focus mainly on new knowledge gained from research conducted during the last four years. Furthermore, drivers of changes in UV radiation other than ozone are discussed and their relative importance is assessed. The most important of these factors, namely clouds, aerosols and surface reflectivity, are related to changes in climate, and some of their effects on short- and long-term variations of UV radiation have already been identified from measurements. Finally, projected future developments in stratospheric ozone, climate, and other factors affecting UV radiation have been used to estimate changes in solar UV radiation from the present to the end of the 21st century. New instruments and methods have been assessed with respect to their ability to provide useful and accurate information for monitoring solar UV radiation at the Earth's surface and for determining relevant exposures of humans. Evidence since the last assessment reconfirms that systematic and accurate long-term measurements of UV radiation and stratospheric ozone are essential for assessing the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments and adjustments. Finally, we have assessed aspects of UV radiation related to biological effects and human health, as well as implications for UV radiation from possible solar radiation management (geoengineering) methods to mitigate climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Bais
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Campus Box 149, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - G Bernhard
- Biospherical Instruments Inc., 5340 Riley Street, San Diego, California, USA
| | - R L McKenzie
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, NIWA Lauder, PB 50061 Omakau, Central Otago, New Zealand
| | - P J Aucamp
- Ptersa Environmental Management Consultants, PO Box 915751, Faerie Glen, 0043, South Africa
| | - P J Young
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK and Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - M Ilyas
- School of Environmental Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, Kangar, Malaysia
| | - P Jöckel
- Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institut fuer Physik der Atmosphaere, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - M Deushi
- Meteorological Research Institute (MRI), Tsukuba, Japan
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