The suitability of a new technology single-monochromator diode array spectroradiometer for UV-radiation safety measurements, in particular for sunbed measurements, was evaluated. The linearity, cosine response, temperature response, wavelength scale, stray-light and slit function of the spectroradiometer were determined and their effects on the measurement accuracy evaluated. The main error sources were stray-light and nonideal cosine response, for which correction methods are presented. Without correction, the stray-light may reduce the accuracy of the measurement excessively, particularly in the UV-B range. The expanded uncertainty of the corrected UV measurements is estimated to be 14%, which is confirmed with the comparative measurements carried out with a well-characterized double-monochromator spectroradiometer. The measurement accuracy is sufficient for sunbed measurements, provided that all corrections described above have been done and the user of the instrument has a good understanding of the instrument's operating principles and potential error sources. If these requirements are met, the tested spectroradiometer improves and facilitates market surveillance field measurements of sunbeds.

The anamnestic skin phototypes (ASP) I-IV of 22 Caucasian volunteers wee compared with their phototested skin phototypes (PSP) using solar simulating, broadband UV radiation. The Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE)-weighted (i.e. erythemally effective) minimal erythema doses (MED) for solar simulating radiation varied from 20 mJ/cm2 (PSP type 1) to 57 mJ/cm2 (PSP type 4). In only 11 of 21 volunteers did the ASP (I-IV) and PSP (1-4) classifications coincide, and the MED values of the volunteers within the different ASP groups (I-IV) overlapped considerably. To compare the reactivity to erythematogenic radiation of different wavelengths, narrowband monochromator irradiations were performed at 298 nm, 310 nm and 330 nm. The CIE-weighted MED values at these wavelengths (20-80 mJ/cm2) corresponded well with those obtained in the broadband testing. Our results indicate that, with classification by interrogation, Caucasian skin can reliably be classified into only two subtypes, corresponding to Fitzpatrick phototypes I-III and phototype IV, respectively. A classification into four sensitivity types can be achieved by phototesting, only. We propose that the concept of ASP should be used with caution. The concept of PSP 1-4 should be favored.

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The first international intercomparison of erythemally weighted (EW) broadband radiometers was arranged in 1995 to improve the accuracy and comparability of the measurements carried out by solar UV monitoring networks. The intercomparison was arranged at the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Helsinki, Finland, in cooperation with the University of Innsbruck and with support from the World Meteorological Organization. Altogether 20 EW meters of six different types from 16 countries were (1) tested in the laboratory by measuring the spectral and angular responsivities and (2) calibrated in solar radiation against two reference spectroradiometers. Calibration factors (CFs) for the EW meters were determined by using simultaneously measured EW solar UV spectra as a calibration reference. The CFs averaged over solar elevations higher than 35° varied from 0.87 to 1.75, with the estimated uncertainty being ±10%. As a result of this intercomparison, for the first time the calibrations of more than 100 EW radiometers around the world are possible to trace to the same origin. The present experience indicates that the accuracy of temperature‐controlled EW radiometers is not significantly lower than the accuracy of spectroradiometers provided that strict quality assurance/quality control procedures are followed.

The suitability of a new technology single‐monochromator diode array spectroradiometer for UV‐radiation safety measurements, in particular for sunbed measurements, was evaluated. The linearity, cosine response, temperature response, wavelength scale, stray‐light and slit function of the spectroradiometer were determined and their effects on the measurement accuracy evaluated. The main error sources were stray‐light and nonideal cosine response, for which correction methods are presented. Without correction, the stray‐light may reduce the accuracy of the measurement excessively, particularly in the UV‐B range. The expanded uncertainty of the corrected UV measurements is estimated to be 14%, which is confirmed with the comparative measurements carried out with a well‐characterized double‐monochromator spectroradiometer. The measurement accuracy is sufficient for sunbed measurements, provided that all corrections described above have been done and the user of the instrument has a good understanding of the instrument's operating principles and potential error sources. If these requirements are met, the tested spectroradiometer improves and facilitates market surveillance field measurements of sunbeds.