Personal UV exposure in high albedo alpine sites

Abstract

Abstract. Mountain sites experience enhanced UV radiation levels due to the concurrent effects of shorter radiation pathlength, low aerosol load and high reflectivity of the snow surfaces. This study was encouraged by the possibility to collect original data of personal dose on a specific anatomical site (erythemally effective UV dose on the forehead) of two groups of volunteers (ski instructors and skiers) in the mountainous areas of Italy (the Alpine site of La Thuile-Les Suches in Valle d'Aosta region). Personal doses were assessed using polysulphone dosimetry. Exposure Ratio (ER), defined as the ratio between the personal dose and the corresponding ambient dose (i.e. erythemally weighted dose received by a horizontal surface) during the same exposure period was taken into account. In addition measuring skin colours as biological markers of individual response to UV exposure, was also carried out on the forearm and cheek of each volunteer before and after exposure.The median ER, taking into account the whole sample, is 0.60 in winter, with a range of 0.29 to 1.46, and 1.02 in spring, ranging from 0.46 to 1.72. No differences in ERs were found between skiers and instructors in spring while in winter skiers experienced lower values.Regarding skin colorimetric parameters the main result was that both skiers and instructors had on average significantly lower values of luminance after exposure i.e. they became darker. It was found that the use of sunscreen and individual skin photo-type did not produce significant variations in ER across instructor/skier group by day and by seasons (p>0.05). It seems that sunscreen use only at the beginning of the exposure or in a few cases a couple of times during Correspondence to: A. M. Siani (annamaria.siani@uniroma1.it) exposure (at difference with the specific instructions sheets), was not sufficient to change significantly skin colorimetric parameters across participants.In conclusion UV personal doses on the ski-fields are often significantly higher than those on horizontal surfaces and consistently more intense respect to personal doses received by sunbathers on the beach in central Italy (ER range: 0.09-0.42). Given the high levels of exposure observed in the present study, specific public health warnings with regards to the efficacy of sun-protection behaviours (proper application and re-application of sunscreen and protective measures such as hats and sun glasses) should be adopted.

Solar UV exposure in construction workers in Valencia, Spain

“…Due to its geographical situation, for most of the year the Valencia Region (Spain) receives large doses of UVR. Outdoor workers receive regular and significant solar UVR in their course of their activities (Gies and Wright, 2003;Gies et al, 2009;Glanz et al, 2007;Hammond et al, 2009;Milon et al, 2007;Moehrle et al, 2003;Schmalwieser et al, 2010;Serrano et al, 2009;Siani et al, 2011;Siani et al, 2008;Thieden et al 2005) especially when solar radiation is intense.…”

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

“…Many studies have detailed personal UV exposures for a range of situations (6,7,8). However for the golfing population group, being placed by necessity in the sun for extended periods of time, there remains limited information on exposure and the related skin cancer risk (9,10).…”

First national intercomparison of solar ultraviolet radiometers in Italy

“…The relatively wide latitude range over which Italy extends and its large variety of environments, which is representative of the Mediterranean as well as the Alpine regions , make solar measurements in this country very valuable. Furthermore, sun exposure among natives and tourists is very common in both work and leisure activities (Siani et al, 2008(Siani et al, , 2009. Some Italian institutions have been involved in European projects (Seckmeyer et al, 2008b), COST Actions (Hülsen and Gröbner, 2007) and international campaigns (Gröbner et al, 2010) and several Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPAs, see Table 1 for a list of the agencies acronyms) started a monitoring programme in the last few years.…”