Erythemal UV Radiation on Days with Low UV Index Values—an Analysis of Data from the German Solar UV Monitoring Network over a Ten-year Period

Lehmann M, Sandmann H, Pfahlberg AB, Uter W, Gefeller O (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Photochemistry and Photobiology Wiley-Blackwell

Book Volume: 95

Pages Range: 1076-1082

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1111/php.13092

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization and partner organizations, no protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation is required on days with “low” values (i.e., values <3) of the Global Solar Ultraviolet Index (UVI). Erythemal irradiance (Eer) data of such days were analyzed to evaluate this claim. Measurements from 9 stations of the German solar UV monitoring network from 2007 to 2016 yielded 14,431 daily Eer time series of low UVI days. Erythemal doses for certain fixed time intervals—acquired from measurements on horizontal planes—were compared with the average minimal erythemal dose (MED) of skin phototype II. Doses from days with rounded UVI values of 0 were insufficient to induce erythema and even on days with rounded UVI values of 1 doses exceeding 1 MED of skin type II could only be acquired under very specific circumstances of prolonged exposure. Conversely, sun exposure on days with rounded UVI values of 2 can indeed provide doses sufficient to induce erythema in skin type II after two hours around noon. In conclusion, our analyses do not support the claim of harmlessness currently associated with the entire low UVI exposure category in public guidance on interpretation of the UVI.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maria Lehmann Lehrstuhl für Biometrie und Epidemiologie Wolfgang Uter Professur für Epidemiologie Olaf Gefeller Lehrstuhl für Biometrie und Epidemiologie

Involved external institutions

uv-tech consulting DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lehmann, M., Sandmann, H., Pfahlberg, A.B., Uter, W., & Gefeller, O. (2019). Erythemal UV Radiation on Days with Low UV Index Values—an Analysis of Data from the German Solar UV Monitoring Network over a Ten-year Period. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 95(4), 1076-1082. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/php.13092

MLA:

Lehmann, Maria, et al. "Erythemal UV Radiation on Days with Low UV Index Values—an Analysis of Data from the German Solar UV Monitoring Network over a Ten-year Period." Photochemistry and Photobiology 95.4 (2019): 1076-1082.

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