Premium
Exposure of Arctic Field Scientists to Ultraviolet Radiation Evaluated Using Personal Dosimeters
Author(s) -
Cockell Charles S.,
Scherer Kerstin,
Horneck Gerda,
Rettberg Petra,
Facius Rainer,
GuggHelminger Anton,
Driscoll Colin,
Lee Pascal
Publication year - 2001
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 - 10.1562/0031-8655(2001)0740570eoafst2.0.co2
Subject(s) - dosimeter , arctic , environmental science , dosimetry , overcast , the arctic , ultraviolet radiation , atmospheric sciences , latitude , toxicology , meteorology , sky , nuclear medicine , physics , medicine , geography , biology , chemistry , radiochemistry , ecology , oceanography , geodesy , geology
During July 2000 we used an electronic personal dosimeter (X‐2000) and a biological dosimeter (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft‐ und Raumfahrt: Biofilm) to characterize the UV radiation exposure of arctic field scientists involved in biological and geological fieldwork. These personnel were working at the Haughton impact structure on Devon Island (75°N) in the Canadian High Arctic under a 24 h photoperiod. During a typical day of field activities under a clear sky, the total daily erythemally weighted exposure, as measured by electronic dosimetry, was up to 5.8 standard erythemal dose (SED). Overcast skies (typically 7–8 okta of stratus) reduced exposures by a mean of 54%. We estimate that during a month of field activity in July a typical field scientist at this latitude could potentially receive ∼80 SED to the face. Because of body movements the upper body was exposed to a UV regimen that often changed on second‐to‐second timescales as assessed by electronic dosimetry. Over a typical 10 min period on vehicle traverse, we found that erythemal exposure could vary to up to 87% of the mean exposure. Time‐integrated exposures showed that the type of outdoor field activities in the treeless expanse of the polar desert had little effect on the exposure received. Although absolute exposure changed in accordance with the time of day, the exposure ratio (dose received over horizontal dose) did not vary much over the day. Under clear skies the mean exposure ratio was 0.35 ± 0.12 for individual activities at different times of the day assessed using electronic dosimetry. Biological dosimetry showed that the occupation was important in determining daily exposures. In our study, scientists in the field received an approximately two‐fold higher dose than individuals, such as medics and computer scientists, who spent the majority of their time in tents.