UV-B RADIOMETRY AND DOSIMETRY FOR SOLAR MEASUREMENTS

Biologically effective irradiance or dose of solar UV radiation was de termined using a spectroradiometer, two broadband radiometers and two types of passive UV-dosimeters. The absolute erythema irradiance and t he actinic irradiance were calculated from the solar spectrum measured with the spectroradiometer. It was demonstrated that the erythema irr adiance is proportional to the actinic irradiance of solar radiation. The erythema irradiance was also determined using the two broadband ra diometers which utilize a filter transmitting erythema spectra. Person al UV-dosimeters such as polysulphone and CR-39 were used to determine the erythema dose for a selected period of time. These results were u sed to estimate the accuracy of the broadband radiometers and UV-dosim eters. It was found that the results obtained from the broadband radio meters deviate from the absolute erythema irradiance by less than 20% during clear days between the hours of 11:00 and 13:00 Eastern Standar d Time (EST) in Australia. The assessment of the erythema dose using p assive dosimeters such as polysulphone and CR-39 could introduce an er ror as high as 40% if the calibration was not performed before underta king experimental measurements.