SOLAR UVR EXPOSURES OF 3 GROUPS OF OUTDOOR WORKERS ON THE SUNSHINE-COAST, QUEENSLAND

The solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposures of three groups of out door workers, physical education (PE) teachers, ground staff/gardeners and Lifeguards were measured using UVR-sensitive polysulfone (PS) fil m badges. The exposures all took place on the Sunshine Coast, Queensla nd over 5 consecutive weekdays in November 1992. For the three groups, the shoulder badges received greater UVR exposures than the chest bad ges, in agreement with previous studies. The PE teachers received the highest UVR exposures while the lifeguards received the least. One of the 5 days of the study was overcast with some rain showers and UVR do ses for this day for all groups were significantly lower than on the o ther 4 days, however the ratio of exposure to ambient remained relativ ely constant. All groups had measured UVR exposures in excess of occup ational guidelines, indicating that protective measures, including edu cation and behavior modification, which are becoming much more common in occupational situations in Australia, are both timely and necessary .