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Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Sun Protection Behaviors and Knowledge Among a High‐Risk and Overlooked Group of Outdoor Workers in South Africa
Author(s) -
Nkogatse Mahlako Malesele,
Ramotsehoa Motsehoa Cynthia,
Eloff Frederick Christofel,
Wright Caradee Yael
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/php.13008
Subject(s) - sun protection , forehead , ultraviolet radiation , environmental science , sun exposure , occupational exposure , environmental health , ultraviolet , sunlight , dosimeter , toxicology , medicine , physics , surgery , dermatology , optics , biology , nuclear medicine , dosimetry , chemistry , radiochemistry
The exposure of outdoor car guards to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), the majority with deeply pigmented skin, to solar UVR was measured for five consecutive days during early spring (September 2017) in South Africa using electronic UVR dosimeters attached to the upper arm of each participant. The exposure of the nape of the neck, forehead, nose, cheek and hand was extrapolated from the measurements. The onsite ambient solar UVR on a flat, horizontal, unshaded surface was measured concurrently. The sun‐related knowledge, behavior and attitudes of the car guards were evaluated using questionnaires. Total personal daily solar UVR exposure as a percentage of the ambient solar UVR exposure was 24%. The exposure of car guards on several body sites was in excess of the occupational threshold limit value. Sleeved shirts and hats were the most commonly used sun protection measures (worn by 70% and 80%, respectively). Considering the high levels of solar UVR reported on most days throughout the year in South Africa, more studies quantifying the personal exposure of outdoor workers in both the informal and formal sectors are necessary.