Measurement and Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Central Nigeria

Abstract

This work measured and modeled Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation exposure of outdoor workers (Traders, Drivers/Commuters and Construction workers) within Makurdi Metropolis. Digital broad band meter was used to measure Irradiance across the three occupations under consideration. Polymer Polysolphone dosimeters were used to quantify the amount of solar UVR absorbed by workers of these occupations, UV/VIS-Spectrophotometer was used to measure both post and pre-absorbance while GPS was used to measure the coordinate of the Sampling sites. The Polymer Polysulphone dosimeters were fitted on vital solar radiation access areas on a plastic human shape and placed in the sun from 9:30am-4:00pm (6 hours 30 minutes). The result shows that head top had the highest values of 8.73 kJ/m 2 , 6.67 kJ/m 2 and 7.40 kJ/m 2 for drivers/commuters, construction workers and traders respectively while the dosimeters worn under clothe cover had the least values of 2.06kJ/m 2 , 2.56kJ/m 2 , 3.07 kJ/m 2 at the market square, car park and construction site respectively. Similarly, UV Irradiances at various intervals were measured and the cumulative exposures calculated to be 610.98kJ/m 2 , 1923.84kJ/m 2 and 3526.92 kJ/m 2 respectively. The work sets a reliable baseline data for solar UV radiation monitoring in Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria.

Fractional Distribution of Solar UV-B Absorbance on Outdoor Workers within Nsukka Metropolis, South Eastern Nigeria

“…UV radiation is one of the most important physical concerns in the workplace. As is always the case with agricultural and construction jobs, both governmental and non-governmental organizations anticipate workers to perform their daily tasks during the middle of the day and/or during the dry seasons; this period, the intensity of the radiation from the sun is always very high (Sombo et al, 2021). Market locations, parking lots, farmlands, playgrounds and job sites in rural areas with little or no ultraviolet protection are where the risk is greatest (Tertsea et al, 2013).…”

“…Market locations, parking lots, farmlands, playgrounds and job sites in rural areas with little or no ultraviolet protection are where the risk is greatest (Tertsea et al, 2013). Humans are exposed to UV rays in different ways depending on their activities, body posture, personal conduct, and use of UV protection equipment (Sombo et al, 2021). Since the advent of modern epidemiology, numerous authors have shown a connection between solar UV radiation and cataract, specifically between UV-B radiation and cortical cataract (Löfgren, 2017).…”

Measurement and Prediction of Workplace Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

“…Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is divided into three bands of wavelengths, which are UVA (320-400nm), UVB (290-320nm) and UVC (200-290nm) [3]. A major portion of the UVA and about 10% of UVB radiation reaches the earth's surface from the sun while UVC is totally absorbed by the atmospheric ozone, water vapour and gasses [4,2,5].…”