Measurement of UVA exposure to solar radiation

Photochem Photobiol. 1996 Jun;63(6):807-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1996.tb09634.x.

Abstract

Exposure to solar UVA (320-400 nm) radiation can damage DNA and lead to skin disorders. Conventional dosimetry using a single piece of polysulfone or diglycol carbonate (CR-39) cannot provide accurate measurement of the biologically effective irradiance for erythema for the UVA waveband. A package employing four dosimeters (polysulfone, nalidixic acid, 8-methoxypsoralen and phenothiazine) has been shown to be effective for use as a spectrum evaluator for evaluating the UVA source spectrum. In Brisbane, on a horizontal position, the spectrum evaluator requires about 5 min exposure in summer and about 20 min in winter. This amounts to about 10 mJ cm-2 of erythemal UV radiation.

MeSH terms

  • Erythema / etiology
  • Humans
  • Photobiology
  • Radiometry
  • Skin / radiation effects
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*