SOLAR UVR EXPOSURES OF PRIMARY-SCHOOL CHILDREN AT 3 LOCATIONS IN QUEENSLAND

The ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposures of primary school children i n Brisbane, Toowoomba and Mackay (latitudes 27 degrees 30', 27 degrees 33' and 21 degrees 15' south, respectively) were assessed over a peri od of 2 weeks at each location using UVR-sensitive polysulfone (PS) fi lm badges attached at the shoulder. The students filled in questionnai res on their time spent outdoors for each day of the study. These data in conjunction with the ambient UVR measured by a detector/datalogger unit at each site were used to correlate the calculated exposures wit h those measured using the PS badges. Overall, the questionnaires indi cated that the males spent more time outdoors and had higher measured UVR exposures than females. For both boys and girls at each location, there was a strong correlation between the mean measured UVR exposure and the ambient solar UVR at that location.