Weekend personal ultraviolet radiation exposure in four cities in Australia: influence of temperature, humidity and ambient ultraviolet radiation

Fan Xiang; Simone Harrison; Madeleine Nowak; Michael Kimlin; Ingrid Van der Mei; Rachel E Neale; Craig Sinclair; Robyn M Lucas; AusD Study Investigator Group

doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.12.029

Weekend personal ultraviolet radiation exposure in four cities in Australia: influence of temperature, humidity and ambient ultraviolet radiation

J Photochem Photobiol B. 2015 Feb:143:74-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.12.029. Epub 2015 Jan 9.

Authors

Fan Xiang¹, Simone Harrison², Madeleine Nowak³, Michael Kimlin⁴, Ingrid Van der Mei⁵, Rachel E Neale⁶, Craig Sinclair⁷, Robyn M Lucas⁸; AusD Study Investigator Group

Affiliations

¹ National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. Electronic address: fan.xiang@anu.edu.au.
² School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; School of Public Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
³ School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
⁴ School of Public Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
⁵ Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
⁶ Queensland Berghofer Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
⁷ Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
⁸ National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

PMID: 25600266
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.12.029

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effects of meteorological factors on weekend sun exposure behaviours and personal received dose of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in Australian adults.

Methods: Australian adults (n=1002) living in Townsville (19°S, 146°E), Brisbane (27°S, 153°E), Canberra (35°S, 149°E) and Hobart (43°S, 147°E) were recruited between 2009 and 2010. Data on sun exposure behaviours were collected by daily sun exposure dairies; personal UVR exposure was measured with a polysulphone dosimeter. Meteorological data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology; ambient UVR levels were estimated using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument data.

Results: Higher daily maximum temperatures were associated with reduced likelihood of wearing a long-sleeved shirt or wearing long trousers in Canberra and Hobart, and higher clothing-adjusted UVR dose in Canberra. Higher daily humidity was associated with less time spent outdoors in Canberra. Higher ambient UVR level was related to a greater clothing-adjusted personal UVR dose in Hobart and a greater likelihood of using sunscreen in Townsville.

Conclusion: The current findings enhance our understanding of the impact of weather conditions on the population's sun exposure behaviours. This information will allow us to refine current predictive models for UVR-related diseases, and guide future health service and health promotion needs.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Australia
Cities / statistics & numerical data*
Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
Humans
Humidity*
Temperature*
Ultraviolet Rays*