The Canadian Ozone Watch and UV Index

Ultraviolet radiation is a highly energetic component of the solar spectrum that needs to be monitored because is harmful to life on Earth, especially in areas where the ozone layer has been depleted, like Chile. This work is the first to address the long-term (five-year) behaviour of ultraviolet erythemal radiation (UVER) in Santiago, Chile (33.5° S, 70.7° W, 500 m) using in situ measurements and empirical modelling. Observations indicate that to alert the people on the risks of UVER overexposure, it is necessary to use, in addition to the currently available UV index (UVI), three more erythema indices: standard erythemal doses (SEDs), minimum erythemal doses (MEDs), and sun exposure time (tery). The combination of UVI, SEDs, MEDs, and tery shows that in Santiago, individuals with skin types III and IV are exposed to harmfully high UVER doses for 46% of the time that UVI indicates is safe. Empirical models predicted hourly and daily values UVER in Santiago with great accuracy and can be applied to other Chilean urban areas with similar climate. This research inspires future advances in reconstructing large datasets to analyse the UVER in Central Chile, its trends, and its changes.

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“I’ve Heard of It, Yes, but I Can’t Remember What Exactly It Was”—A Qualitative Study on Awareness, Knowledge, and Use of the UV Index

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041615 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1615

Author(s):

Katharina Diehl ◽

Tatiana Görig ◽

Charlotte Jansen ◽

Maike Carola Hruby ◽

Annette B. Pfahlberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Protection Factor ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Uv Index ◽

Correct Definition ◽

Definition Of

Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians play an important role in counselling customers regarding sunscreen use and sun protection measures. A potentially helpful tool that can be used during counselling is the ultraviolet index (UVI), which informs individuals when and what sun protection measures are needed at a specific place and time. Our aim in this qualitative study was to explore awareness, knowledge, and use of the UVI during counselling in pharmacies. We used semi-structured interviews with pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians (n = 20) to answer our research questions. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. During the interviews pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians revealed a lot of uncertainty and lack of knowledge regarding the UVI. Eight professionals were able to give a correct definition of UVI. Amongst others, the UVI was confused with sun protection factor. Overall, the UVI was hardly used during the counselling of customers. The UVI was developed to provide guidance when which type of sun protection is required to avoid detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation. For effective implementation, both the general population and health professionals (e.g., pharmacists) have to increase their knowledge about the UVI. This would strengthen its use during professional counselling in pharmacies and may help to reduce the incidence of skin cancer over the long term.

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Travellers to high UV-index countries: Sun-exposure behaviour in 7822 French adults

Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.1016/j.tmaid.2006.08.001 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 176-182 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Khaled Ezzedine ◽

Christiane Guinot ◽

Emmanuelle Mauger ◽

Thierry Pistone ◽

Marie-Catherine Receveur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sun Exposure ◽

Uv Index

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Global solar UV index

Melanoma Research ◽

10.1097/00008390-199509001-00093 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 47-48

Author(s):

J. P. Césarini

Keyword(s):

Uv Index ◽

Solar Uv

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Climatological Global Solar UV Index: Measurement and Health Issues in Malta

Climate Change Management - Handbook of Climate Services ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-36875-3_13 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 253-277

Author(s):

Roderick Busuttil ◽

Charles Galdies ◽

Joseph Cacciottolo ◽

Charles Yousif

Keyword(s):

Health Issues ◽

Uv Index ◽

Index Measurement ◽

Solar Uv

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Possible values of UV index in Serbia

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo ◽

10.2298/sarh0812640l ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 136 (11-12) ◽

pp. 640-643 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Milorad Letic

Keyword(s):

Uv Radiation ◽

The Sun ◽

Total Column Ozone ◽

Uv Index ◽

Clear Sky ◽

Expected Values ◽

June July ◽

Column Ozone ◽

Ozone Column

INTRODUCTION UV Index is an indicator of human exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) rays. The numerical values of the UV Index range from 1-11 and above. There are three levels of protection against UV radiation; low values of the UV Index - protection is not required, medium values of the UV Index - protection is recommended and high values of the UV Index - protection is obligatory. The value of the UV Index primarily depends on the elevation of the sun and total ozone column. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to determine the intervals of possible maximal annual values of the UV Index in Serbia in order to determine the necessary level of protection in a simple manner. METHOD For maximal and minimal expected values of total column ozone and for maximal elevation of the sun, the value of the UV Index was determined for each month in the Northern and Southern parts of Serbia. These values were compared with the forecast of the UV Index. RESULTS Maximal clear sky values of the UV Index in Serbia for altitudes up to 500m in May, June, July and August can be 9 or even 10, and not less than 5 or 6. During November, December, January and February the UV Index can be 4 at most. During March, April, September and October the expected values of the UV Index are maximally 7 and not less than 3. The forecast of the UV Index is within these limits in 98% of comparisons. CONCLUSION The described method of determination of possible UV Index values showed a high agreement with forecasts. The obtained results can be used for general recommendations in the protection against UV radiation.

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Comparison of UV climates at Summit, Greenland; Barrow, Alaska and South Pole, Antarctica

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-8-4949-2008 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 4949-4976

Author(s):

G. Bernhard ◽

C. R. Booth ◽

J. C. Ehramjian

Keyword(s):

Total Ozone ◽

Surface Albedo ◽

High Surface ◽

Lower Latitude ◽

South Pole ◽

Model Calculations ◽

Uv Index ◽

Ice Caps ◽

Clear Sky ◽

Summer Maximum

Abstract. An SUV-150B spectroradiometer for measuring solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiance was installed at Summit, Greenland, in August 2004. Here we compare the initial data from this new location with similar measurements from Barrow, Alaska and South Pole. Measurements of irradiance at 345 nm performed at equivalent solar zenith angles (SZAs) are almost identical at Summit and South Pole. The good agreement can be explained with the similar location of the two sites on high-altitude ice caps with high surface albedo. Clouds have little impact at both sites, but can reduce irradiance at Barrow by more than 75%. Clear-sky measurements at Barrow are smaller than at Summit by 14% in spring and 36% in summer, mostly due to differences in surface albedo and altitude. Comparisons with model calculations indicate that aerosols can reduce clear-sky irradiance at 345 nm by 4–6%; aerosol influence is largest in April. Differences in total ozone at the three sites have a large influence on the UV Index. At South Pole, the UV Index is on average 20–80% larger during the ozone hole period than between January and March. At Summit, total ozone peaks in April and UV Indices in spring are on average 10–25% smaller than in the summer. Maximum UV Indices ever observed at Summit and South Pole are 6.7 and 4.0, respectively. The larger value at Summit is due to the site's lower latitude. For comparable SZAs, average UV Indices measured during October and November at South Pole are 1.9–2.4 times larger than measurements during March and April at Summit. Average UV Indices at Summit are over 50% greater than at Barrow because of the larger cloud influence at Barrow.

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Monitoring Solar Radiation UV Exposure in the Comoros

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph181910475 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (19) ◽

pp. 10475

Author(s):

Kévin Lamy ◽

Marion Ranaivombola ◽

Hassan Bencherif ◽

Thierry Portafaix ◽

Mohamed Abdoulwahab Toihir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ultraviolet Radiation ◽

Cloud Cover ◽

Relative Difference ◽

Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽

Uv Index ◽

Measurement Campaign ◽

Monitoring Instrument ◽

Ozone Monitoring ◽

Sky Conditions ◽

Very High

As part of the UV-Indien project, a station for measuring ultraviolet radiation and the cloud fraction was installed in December 2019 in Moroni, the capital of the Comoros, situated on the west coast of the island of Ngazidja. A ground measurement campaign was also carried out on 12 January 2020 during the ascent of Mount Karthala, located in the center of the island of Ngazidja. In addition, satellite estimates (Ozone Monitoring Instrument and TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) and model outputs (Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service and Tropospheric Ultraviolet Model) were combined for this same region. On the one hand, these different measurements and estimates make it possible to quantify, evaluate, and monitor the health risk linked to exposure to ultraviolet radiation in this region and, on the other, they help to understand how cloud cover influences the variability of UV-radiation on the ground. The measurements of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument onboard the EOS-AURA satellite, being the longest timeseries of ultraviolet measurements available in this region, make it possible to quantify the meteorological conditions in Moroni and to show that more than 80% of the ultraviolet indices are classified as high, and that 60% of these are classified as extreme. The cloud cover measured in Moroni by an All Sky Camera was used to distinguish between the cases of UV index measurements taken under clear or cloudy sky conditions. The ground-based measurements thus made it possible to describe the variability of the diurnal cycle of the UV index and the influence of cloud cover on this parameter. They also permitted the satellite measurements and the results of the simulations to be validated. In clear sky conditions, a relative difference of between 6 and 11% was obtained between satellite or model estimates and ground measurements. The ultraviolet index measurement campaign on Mount Karthala showed maximum one-minute standard erythemal doses at 0.3 J·m−2 and very high daily cumulative erythemal doses, at more than 80 J·m−2. These very high levels are also observed throughout the year and all skin phototypes can exceed the daily erythemal dose threshold, at more than 20 J·m−2.

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Identification allergen Cladosporium spores concentration in the ambient of Ahvaz wastewater treatment plant and their relationship with meteorological variables, Ahvaz, Iran

Journal of Air Pollution and Health ◽

10.18502/japh.v4i4.2199 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nastaran Talepour ◽

Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand ◽

Effat Abbasi-Montazeri ◽

Seyed Mahmoud Latifi ◽

Neamat Jaafarzadeh Haghighi Fard

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Wind Speed ◽

Meteorological Parameters ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Airborne Fungi ◽

Air Pressure ◽

Dew Point ◽

Uv Index ◽

Ultraviolet Index

Introduction: Airborne Cladosporium spores in different regions of the world are known as the main cause of allergic diseases. This study aimed to identify the Cladosporium species airborne fungi in Ahvaz wastewater treat- ment plant area and its adjacent places and check the effect of some meteoro- logical parameters on their emissions. Materials and methods: Cladosporium spores were cultured on Sabouraud`s dextrose agar (SDA) medium in both cold and warm seasons. The passive sampling method was performed and after incubation, colonies were counted as CFU/Plate/h. Then, according to the macroscopic and microscopic charac- teristics of the genus, the fungal was studied. The meteorological parameters including temperature, humidity, air pressure, dew point, wind speed, and ultraviolet index were measured. Results: At least, 3358 colonies were counted. 1433 colonies were related to the Cladosporium species. The amount of Cladosporium in indoor air was 46% of the total Cladosporium. The average of meteorological parameters includes temperature, humidity, air pressure, dew point, wind speed and UV index during the study were 27.8 °C, 32.9%, 548.7 °Kpa, 3.6°, 9.1 km / h and 3.9 respectively. 42.6% of the total number of colonies was related to the Cladosporium species. Cladospiromes had a direct correlation with the dew point, temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, and ultraviolet index (Pvalue<0.05). Primary sludge dewatering has the greatest role in the Cladospo- rium spores emission. Conclusion: Considering the importance of Cladosporium spores in the ap- pearance of allergic diseases, and given that wastewater treatment workers spend most of their time outside, observing health and preventive measures is necessary in this regard.

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