Solar UV exposure in construction workers in Valencia, Spain

Abstract

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has long been recognized as the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma and skin cancer. Outdoor workers are among the groups most at risk from exposure to solar UVR in their daily activities. Sensitive spore-film filter-type personal dosimeters (VioSpor) were used to measure the biologically effective UVR received by construction workers in the course of their daily work. The study took place in Valencia, Spain, in July 2010 and involved a group of 8 workers for a period of 5 days. The median UV exposure was 6.11 SED/day, with 1 SED defined as effective 100 J/m 2 when weighted with the CIE erythemal response function. These workers were found to receive a median of 13.9% of total daily ambient ultraviolet erythemal radiation (UVER). Comparison with the occupational UVR exposure limit showed that the subjects had received UVER exposure in excess of occupational guidelines, indicating that protective measures against this risk are highly advisable.3

Outdoor work and solar radiation exposure: Evaluation method for epidemiological studies

“…However, during the measurement campaign in the fishermen group, performed according to a preventive purpose [25,27], we could not be able to interview the workers with our ad hoc questionnaire: this factor is a relevant limitation for the current development of our methodology because at present we can't associate the questionnaire's answers to specific individual measurements. Despite this limit, the occupational exposures suggested by our questionnaire or measured in the group of fishermen are in accordance with recent studies that have shown an exposure in terms of Standard Erythemal Dose (SED) of 9.9 SED in Australia [13], 11.9-28.6 SED in Switzerland [14], 6.11 SED in Spain [15] for the construction sector. It has to be noted that 1 SED is equivalent to an effective radiant exposure of 100 J/m 2 [2].…”

“…Only few studies adopted quantitative or detailed semiquantitative tools to assess quantitative exposure [3][4][5][6]. On the contrary, there are many studies that provide an objective evaluation of acute SR exposure in a shortperiod of time using individual UV dosimeters [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

Questionnaire‐based evaluation of occupational and non‐occupational solar radiation exposure in a sample of Italian patients treated for actinic keratosis and other non‐melanoma skin cancers

“…Regarding the former category, studies show a SR exposure of 9.9 standard erythemal dose (SED) in Australia, 28 a daily dose ranging from 11.9 to 28.6 SED depending on the altitude in Switzerland 29 and a SED of 6.11 in Spain. 30 For farmers, high exposure to UVR has been reported in New Zealand, 31 Australia, 32 Austria 33 and Italy, where 1870 Joule/m 2 was measured in April. 34 In all these studies, the researchers measured an acute exposure to SR in a single day or few days with personal dosimeters.…”

CONSENSUS REPORT: Recognizing non‐melanoma skin cancer, including actinic keratosis, as an occupational disease – A Call to Action

“…The afore‐mentioned pilot study of > 600 outdoor workers in Germany has already revealed unexpectedly high exposures . A study of construction workers in Spain using personal dose‐meters found median UV exposure was 6.11 (SED) per day . Comparison with the occupational UV radiation exposure limit showed that the subjects had received UV erythemal radiation exposure in excess of occupational guidelines, indicating that protective measures against this risk are highly advisable.…”

“…31 A study of construction workers in Spain using personal dose-meters found median UV exposure was 6.11 (SED) per day. 34 Comparison with the occupational UV radiation exposure limit showed that the subjects had received UV erythemal radiation exposure in excess of occupational guidelines, indicating that protective measures against this risk are highly advisable. It seems therefore warranted to install regulation to protect outdoor workers from UV radiation in the workplace.…”