A Critical Assessment of Two Types of Personal UV Dosimeters

Abstract

Doses of erythemally weighted irradiances derived from polysulphone (PS) and electronic ultraviolet (EUV) dosimeters have been compared with measurements obtained using a reference spectroradiometer. PS dosimeters showed mean absolute deviations of 26% with a maximum deviation of 44%, the calibrated EUV dosimeters showed mean absolute deviations of 15% (maximum 33%) around noon during several test days in the northern hemisphere autumn. In the case of EUV dosimeters, measurements with various cut-off filters showed that part of the deviation from the CIE erythema action spectrum was due to a small, but significant sensitivity to visible radiation that varies between devices and which may be avoided by careful preselection. Usually the method of calibrating UV sensors by direct comparison to a reference instrument leads to reliable results. However, in some circumstances the quality of measurements made with simple sensors may be over-estimated. In the extreme case, a simple pyranometer can be used as a UV instrument, providing acceptable results for cloudless skies, but very poor results under cloudy conditions. It is concluded that while UV dosimeters are useful for their design purpose, namely to estimate personal UV exposures, they should not be regarded as an inexpensive replacement for meteorological grade instruments.

Schoolyard Shade and Sun Exposure: Assessment of Personal Monitoring During Children's Physical Activity

“…), they also underestimate ambient outdoor exposures; thus, ERs should be taken into account when assessing UV Ery doses and SEDs so that underestimations do not occur. Finally, low‐cost dosimeters, while useful for examining patterns in personal UV exposures, should not be regarded as a replacement for high‐end UVR sensing instruments .…”

Is Multidirectional UV Exposure Responsible for Increasing Melanoma Prevalence with Altitude? A Hypothesis Based on Calculations with a 3D-Human Exposure Model

“…Since such systems are not very mobile, additional data at numerous locations could be acquired using personal dosimeters. Personal dosimeters cannot replace spectroradiometer measurements, as the former often show large deviations from spectroradiometer measurements [39]. However, if dosimeters are carefully characterized and preselected, the use of dosimeters could extend the amount of data to estimate the exposure of a human in mountainous snow-free and snow-covered areas.…”

The Human Early-Life Exposome (HELIX): Project Rationale and Design

“…We will then translate these data into activity type (resting, cycling, car travel) and derive inhalation rates. The panel study subjects will also wear electronic wrist band UV dosimeters (Seckmeyer et al 2011), PM 2.5 active samplers (DCG4004 sampling pump with GK.05SH Cyclone inlet; BGI Instruments, Waltham, MA, USA), and MicroAthelometers (AE-51; Envirodata, Madrid, Spain) for continuous black carbon monitoring (Table 2). Personal exposure estimates will be used to characterize uncertainties in the spatial exposure models.…”