An estimation of biological hazards due to solar radiation

A spectrum evaluator based on four different dosimeter materials has been e mployed to estimate the spectral irradiances of solar radiation for exposed humans. The result is used to calculate the biologically effective irradia nce using the erythemal action spectrum and a fish melanoma action spectrum . Measurements are made in winter at a sub-tropical site on the chest and s houlder of subjects during normal daily activities. Up to 95% of the total UV exposure received is in the W-A waveband (320-400 nm). The UV-A waveband is found to contribute approximately 14% of the erythemal UV and 93% of th e biologically effective UV for fish melanoma. Extrapolation to humans sugg ests that exposure to the W-A band will contribute to photodamage in human skin during exposure to solar radiation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.