The relationship between ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and objectively measured personal UVR exposure dose is modified by season and latitude

Sun , J., Lucas , R.M., Harrison, S., Van der Mei, I., Armstrong, B.K., Nowak, M., Brodie, A., and Kimlin, M.G. (2014) The relationship between ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and objectively measured personal UVR exposure dose is modified by season and latitude. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 13. pp. 1711-1718.

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DOI: 10.1039/c4pp00322e

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c4pp00322e

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) as a proxy measure of personal exposure to UVR, the relationship between the two is not well-defined. This paper examines the effects of season and latitude on the relationship between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure. We used data from the AusD Study, a multi-centre cross-sectional study among Australian adults (18-75 years), where personal UVR exposure was objectively measured using polysulphone dosimeters. Data were analysed for 991 participants from 4 Australian cities of different latitude: Townsville (19.3°S), Brisbane (27.5°S), Canberra (35.3°S) and Hobart (42.8°S). Daily personal UVR exposure varied from 0.01 to 21 Standard Erythemal Doses (median = 1.1, IQR: 0.5-2.1), on average accounting for 5% of the total available ambient dose. There was an overall positive correlation between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). However, the correlations varied according to season and study location: from strong correlations in winter (r = 0.50) and at high latitudes (Hobart, r = 0.50; Canberra, r = 0.39), to null or even slightly negative correlations, in summer (r = 0.01) and at low latitudes (Townsville, r = -0.06; Brisbane, r = -0.16). Multiple regression models showed significant effect modification by season and location. Personal exposure fraction of total available ambient dose was highest in winter (7%) and amongst Hobart participants (7%) and lowest in summer (1%) and in Townsville (4%). These results suggest season and latitude modify the relationship between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure. Ambient UVR may not be a good indicator for personal exposure dose under some circumstances.


Item ID:	37637
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1474-9092
Keywords:	season; latitude; ambient UVR; personal UVR; AUSD study; polysulphone badges
Funders:	National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC), Queensland Health, Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants:	NHMRC Project Grant 497220, NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Sun and Health Postdoctoral Fellowship, ARC Future Fellowship
Date Deposited:	12 Mar 2015 03:38
FoR Codes:	02 PHYSICAL SCIENCES > 0299 Other Physical Sciences > 029903 Medical Physics @ 40% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111716 Preventive Medicine @ 30% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 30%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920412 Preventive Medicine @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified @ 50%
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