Effective exposure to solar UV in building workers: influence of local and individual factors

Abstract

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.

Measuring the influence of UV reflection from vertical metal surfaces on humans

“…For many outdoors workers, the daily UV exposure can exceed the exposure limits provided by occupational UV radiation exposure standards 7 . This was found to be true for 90% of workers in a study conducted in Australia 8 and for the majority of workers in a study conducted in alpine settings in Austria 9 . Daily exposures for the Austrian study were measured using five sensors located at different body positions.…”

Basal and squamous cell carcinoma risks for golfers: An assessment of the influence of tee time for latitudes in the Northern and Southern hemispheres

“…Although a significant number of ultraviolet (UV) radiation studies have been conducted to investigate the exposure influence of various physical parameters, there currently remains limited information available to characterize the impact of personal behavior on exposure and subsequent skin cancer risk (1,2,3,4,5). Many studies have detailed personal UV exposures for a range of situations (6,7,8).…”

Reflected solar radiation from horizontal, vertical and inclined surfaces: Ultraviolet and visible spectral and broadband behaviour due to solar zenith angle, orientation and surface type

“…UV exposure is specific to the formation of the above health effects and much research has been conducted to measure and model UV exposure. UV radiation is influenced by (and UV exposure modelling must take into account) many atmospheric factors; including solar zenith angle, altitude, latitude, ozone, clouds, aerosols, albedo (reflectivity) [3,4] and personal factors; including occupation and personal behaviour [5][6][7][8].…”