Real-time measurement of outdoor worker’s exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation in Pretoria, South Africa

Authors

  • Mmathapelo Makgabutlane 1. South African Weather Service, Pretoria, South Africa 2. Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
  • Caradee Y. Wright 1. Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa 2. Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa 3. Climate Studies, Modelling and Environmental Health Research Group, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2015/20140133

Keywords:

skin cancer, sunburn, meteorological factors, sunprotective measures, skin phototype

Abstract

The city of Pretoria in South Africa receives considerable solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) because of its low latitude (22–35°S) and relatively clear skies. Certain meteorological factors affect the amount of solar UVR that reaches the ground; the most dominant factors being stratospheric ozone, cloud cover and solar zenith angle. It is known that overexposure to solar UVR may lead to the development of adverse health conditions, the most significant being skin cancer. Outdoor workers spend a significant amount of time outside and are thus susceptible to this risk. In this case study, we estimated, for the first time, the realtime solar UVR exposure of an outdoor worker in Pretoria. Measurements were made on 27 and 28 May 2013 using a handheld ultraviolet index (UVI) meter calibrated against a science-grade biometer at the South African Weather Service in Pretoria. Personal exposure estimation was used to discern the pattern in diurnal and annual sunburn risk for the outdoor worker. Ambient UVR levels ranged from 0 UVI to 4.66 UVI and the outdoor worker’s potential exposure estimates regularly exceeded 80% of these levels depending on the time of day. The risk of sunburn was evident; however, actual incidents would depend on individual skin photosensitivity and melanin content, as well as sun protection used. Further research is needed to determine the personal exposure estimations of outdoor workers in other provinces in which solar UVR levels may be equally high, or higher than those in Pretoria.

Published

2015-05-28

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Makgabutlane, M., & Wright, C. Y. (2015). Real-time measurement of outdoor worker’s exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation in Pretoria, South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 111(5/6), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2015/20140133
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