Ultraviolet radiation exposure pattern in winter compared with summer based on time-stamped personal dosimeter readings (original) (raw)
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Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology, 2014
Despite the widespread use of ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) as a proxy measure of personal exposure to UVR, the relationship between the two is not well-defined. This paper examines the effects of season and latitude on the relationship between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure. We used data from the AusD Study, a multi-centre cross-sectional study among Australian adults (18-75 years), where personal UVR exposure was objectively measured using polysulphone dosimeters. Data were analysed for 991 participants from 4 Australian cities of different latitude: Townsville (19.3°S), Brisbane (27.5°S), Canberra (35.3°S) and Hobart (42.8°S). Daily personal UVR exposure varied from 0.01 to 21 Standard Erythemal Doses (median = 1.1, IQR: 0.5-2.1), on average accounting for 5% of the total available ambient dose. There was an overall positive correlation between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). However, the correlations varied according to season and stu...
Effects of simple measures to reduce the occupational solar UV exposure of outdoor workers
Taking sun sheltered meal and tea breaks around solar noon can reduce occupational exposure to solar erythemal ultraviolet (UV) radiation by outdoor workers. The research presented in this paper has quantified the reductions in solar UV exposure to be expected in summer and winter for different scenarios of break times for this high UV exposure occupational group of the population.
Effective exposure to solar UV in building workers: influence of local and individual factors
Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 2007
Excessive exposure to solar UV light is the main cause of skin cancers in humans. UV exposure depends on environmental as well as individual factors related to activity. Although outdoor occupational activities contribute significantly to the individual dose received, data on effective exposure are scarce and limited to a few occupations. A study was undertaken in order to assess effective short-term exposure among building workers and characterize the influence of individual and local factors on exposure. The effective exposure of construction workers in a mountainous area in the southern part of Switzerland was investigated through short-term dosimetry (97 dosimeters). Three altitudes, of about 500, 1500 and 2500 m were considered. Individual measurements over 20 working periods were performed using Spore film dosimeters on five body locations. The postural activity of workers was concomitantly recorded and static UV measurements were also performed. Effective exposure among building workers was high and exceeded occupational recommendations, for all individuals for at least one body location. The mean daily UV dose in plain was 11.9 SED (0.0-31.3 SED), in middle mountain 21.4 SED (6.6-46.8 SED) and in high mountain 28.6 SED (0.0-91.1 SED). Measured doses between workers and anatomical locations exhibited a high variability, stressing the role of local exposure conditions and individual factors. Short-term effective exposure ranged between 0 and 200% of ambient irradiation, indicating the occurrence of intense, subacute exposures. A predictive irradiation model was developed to investigate the role of individual factors. Posture and orientation were found to account for at least 38% of the total variance of relative individual exposure, and were also found to account more than altitude on the total variance of effective daily exposures. Targeted sensitization actions through professional information channels and specific prevention messages are recommended. Altitude outdoor workers should also benefit from preventive medical examination.
Biomedical engineering online, 2017
Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is a well-known cause of skin cancer. This is problematic for outdoor workers. In Denmark alone, occupational skin cancer poses a significant health and safety risk for around 400,000 outdoor workers. Objective measures of solar ultraviolet radiation exposure are needed to help resolve this problem. This can be done using personal ultraviolet radiation dosimeters. We consider technical and practical feasibility of measuring individual solar ultraviolet exposure at work and leisure in professions with different á priori temporal high-level outdoor worktime, using aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN) photodiode detector based personal UV-B dosimeters. Essential technical specifications including the spectral and angular responsivity of the dosimeters are described and pre-campaign dosimeter calibration applicability is verified. The scale and conduct of dosimeter deployment and campaign in-field measurements including failures and shortcomings affe...
Occupational UV Exposure in French Outdoor Workers
Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 2015
Methods: A random survey was conducted in 2012 in individuals aged 25 to 69 years. Median daily standard erythemal UV dose (SED) was estimated from exposure time, place and matched to satellite UV records. Results: 889 individuals were exposed to solar UV with highest doses observed among: gardeners (1.19 SED), construction workers (1.13 SED), agricultural workers (0.95 SED), and culture/art/social sciences workers (0.92 SED). Information and communication technology, industry and transport workers were highly exposed (above 0.70 SED). Significant factors associated with high occupational UV exposure were gender (p<0.0001), phototype (p=0.0003) and taking lunch outdoors (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study identified expected occupations with high UV exposure but also unexpected occupations with high exposures. This could serve as a basis for future prevention. * the maximum average was reached in summer for most workers, but for 6 individuals the maximum UV was found in Autumn and for 64 in Spring. Table3 Statement on clinical significance of the present study This study provides a ranking of the most UV exposed occupations using standard classification for occupations and sectors (ISCO-08, ISIC4th). It confirms several occupations which were properly identified for their high exposure from empirical observations. This study presents some forgotten occupations which would require equal attention in future prevention.
Energies, 2020
Solar radiation exposure at work is a relevant heath risk in the construction sector. Our objective was to monitor for a full month the individual solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure of a group of three construction workers active in Siena (latitude = 43 • 19 N), a town in Tuscany (Italy). We used personal electronic dosimeters "X-2012-10" (Gigahertz, Turkenfeld, Germany) to register the UV irradiance in the UVA and UVB/C regions separately and we consulted a specific database to retrieve the corresponding ambient erythemal UVR dose (cloud-free conditions). In spring, construction workers from central Italy received a quite variable UVR dose, between 0.9 standard erythemal doses (SED) and 15.6 SED/day, 5.7 on average. Considering the proportion with respect to the potential environmental exposure, personal exposure resulted between 2.7% and 31.2% of the ambient erythemal dose, with a mean value of 12.5%. Cumulatively, the three construction workers received in one working month a UVR dose of more than 120 SED. In a year, we estimated that a construction worker from Tuscany region is exposed to about 750 SED. This data demonstrates that construction workers in Italy are exposed to extremely high levels of solar UVR, with a relevant risk of developing adverse health effects related to the potential accumulation of UVR-induced damage in susceptible biological tissues, such as the skin and the eyes.
Anatomical UV Exposure in French Outdoor Workers
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2015
Solar ultraviolet has been recognized as the main causative factor for skin cancer and is currently classified as a carcinogenic agent by International Agency for Research on Cancer. Results from a previous phone survey conducted in 2012 in France were used to assess exposure conditions to sun among outdoor workers. Satellite data were used in combination with an exposure model to assess anatomical exposure. The yearly median exposure of the outdoor worker population is 77 kJ/m to 116 kJ/m. Road workers, building workers, and gardeners are the more exposed. About 70% of the yearly dose estimate is due to the cumulative summer and spring exposures. This study highlights the role of individual factors in anatomical exposure and ranks the most exposed body parts and outdoor occupations. Prevention messages should put emphasis on spring exposure, which is an important contributor to the yearly dose.
Evaluation of differences in ultraviolet exposure during weekend and occupational activities
The weekday UV exposures to anatomical sites were evaluated for outdoor workers, home workers, adolescents, indoor workers, school staff, and students, in south-east Queensland, Australia. Additionally, the UV exposures on the weekends of school staff, school students, indoor workers and outdoor workers were evaluated. The weekday exposures per day ranged from 1.0 to 11.0 SED for winter to summer respectively. During spring, the ratios of the personal exposures divided by the ambient exposures on the weekend to the personal exposures divided by the ambient exposures on the weekdays to the neck, hand and left arm were at least 3.4, 2.0 and 0.67 for the indoor workers, school staff and students and outdoor workers respectively. The same ratios for the erythemal UV exposures over the year, estimated from the exposures on four days in each of the four seasons, were at least 2.3 for the school staff and at least 1.3 for the 13 to 19 year old school students. These results reinforce the importance of targeting prevention programs to both weekend and weekday exposures.
Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015
The main source of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the sun, affecting organs such as the skin, eyes, and immune system. According to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) reports, the amount of UVR reaching the Earth's surface is increasing yearly and is responsible for an increase in solar radiation-related diseases. Aims: To investigate the amount of UVR reaching the Earth's surface and understand the risk of UVR on disease among outdoor laborers in one of the central provinces of Iran. Materials and Methods: Arak city was divided into two geographic areas, and the weekly measurement of UVR was done in three locations) asphalt, grass and rooftop). To measure UVR, Hanger UV spectrometer, standard deviation (SD8-A), and SD8-B detectors were used. Amounts of UVR for a consecutive year and varying weather conditions were measured. Finally, values obtained were compared to ACGIH standards. Results: The minimum and maximum levels of UV type A radiation occurred in April 1.27 (0.724) W/m 2 and September 7.147 (4.128) W/m 2 , these figures for UV type B were in March-April 0.005 (0.003) and September 0.083 (0.077). The maximum UVR is received between 11 and 15 o'clock. Conclusions: In the central cities of Iran, the minimum and maximum UV type A and B is received in March-April and in September, respectively. Based on the results, the angular position of the sun in the sky, cloud cover, and height from ground level affected the amount of UVR received, but the geographic locations studied did not.