Real-time measurement of outdoor worker’s exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation in Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

The city of Pretoria in South Africa receives considerable solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) because of its low latitude (22–35°S) and relatively clear skies. Certain meteorological factors affect the amount of solar UVR that reaches the ground; the most dominant factors being stratospheric ozone, cloud cover and solar zenith angle. It is known that overexposure to solar UVR may lead to the development of adverse health conditions, the most significant being skin cancer. Outdoor workers spend a significant amount of time outside and are thus susceptible to this risk. In this case study, we estimated, for the first time, the realtime solar UVR exposure of an outdoor worker in Pretoria. Measurements were made on 27 and 28 May 2013 using a handheld ultraviolet index (UVI) meter calibrated against a science-grade biometer at the South African Weather Service in Pretoria. Personal exposure estimation was used to discern the pattern in diurnal and annual sunburn risk for the outdoor worker. Ambient UVR levels ranged from 0 UVI to 4.66 UVI and the outdoor worker’s potential exposure estimates regularly exceeded 80% of these levels depending on the time of day. The risk of sunburn was evident; however, actual incidents would depend on individual skin photosensitivity and melanin content, as well as sun protection used. Further research is needed to determine the personal exposure estimations of outdoor workers in other provinces in which solar UVR levels may be equally high, or higher than those in Pretoria.

Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Sun Protection Behaviors and Knowledge Among a High‐Risk and Overlooked Group of Outdoor Workers in South Africa

“…Interestingly, exposure of car guards as a percentage of ambient solar UVR at 24% was higher than the 20% hypothesized in an earlier study albeit lower than the 84% and 46% reported before. Construction workers in Spain were found to receive a median of 13.9% of the total daily ambient solar UVR , and outdoor workers in a New Zealand study received 20.5% of the total daily available ambient solar UVR .…”

“…Studies quantifying personal exposure of outdoor workers in different industries have shown that workers are exposed to high levels of solar UVR, defined as levels above the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 1.09 SED . In a South African case study, an outdoor worker was exposed to 84% of the total daily ambient solar UVR . This implies that, depending on the ambient solar UVR levels, an outdoor worker of any skin type is likely at risk of sunburn on many days of the year.…”

Personal Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure of Farmworkers: Seasonal and Anatomical Differences Suggest Prevention Measures Are Required

“…There have only been two studies conducted in South Africa that evaluated occupational personal solar UVR exposure: one among outdoor parking area security staff (Nkogatse et al, 2019) and another of a school groundskeeper (Makgabutlane and Wright, 2015). This was the first known study to establish the personal solar UVR exposure of farmworkers in South Africa and goes beyond the earlier work by considering differences in body site and season.…”

Health Risks Associated With Excessive Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Among Outdoor Workers in South Africa: An Overview

“…Farmers in Italy received on average 15 SED per day or about 80% of the ambient solar UVR ( 12 ). Similarly, a South African school groundsman/gardener was exposed to 80% (4 SED) of the ambient solar UVR per day ( 13 ) while farmworkers were exposed to 46% (8–12 SED) of the ambient solar UVR per day ( 14 ).…”