Occupational UV Exposure in French Outdoor Workers

Abstract

(word count: 134)Objectives: Occupational UV exposure was evaluated in a population-based sample in France.Methods: A random survey was conducted in 2012 in individuals aged 25 to 69 years.Median daily standard erythemal UV dose (SED) was estimated from exposure time, place and matched to satellite UV records.Results: 889 individuals were exposed to solar UV with highest doses observed among: gardeners (1.19 SED), construction workers (1.13 SED), agricultural workers (0.95 SED), and culture/art/social sciences workers (0.92 SED). Information and communication technology, industry and transport workers were highly exposed (above 0.70 SED). Significant factors associated with high occupational UV exposure were gender (p<0.0001), phototype (p=0.0003) and taking lunch outdoors (p<0.0001). Conclusion:This study identified expected occupations with high UV exposure but also unexpected occupations with high exposures. This could serve as a basis for future prevention.

Characteristics of non-melanoma skin cancer depending upon occupational solar UV exposure dosage

“…Studies with focus on personal dosimetry permitted the identification of real-time quantitively data on European outdoor workers with alarming results. For example, outdoor workers in Denmark are exposed to 5 SED/day [15], in Switzerland up to 28.6 SED/day [16], in Spain 6.11 SED/day [17], in France 1.19 SED/day [18] and in Romania from 6.4 SED/day [19] up to 19 SED/day [20]. These data show high variability between European countries and suggest the necessity of stratifying NMSC according to exposure dosage in order to obtain prediction models of NMSC's characteristics with regards to occupation and occupational protective behavior.…”

Anatomical UV Exposure in French Outdoor Workers

“…Detailed information about the survey conducted as well as the regression model used to assess exposure are available in previous publications. 11,12 In brief, the survey was performed in France in 2012 on a sample of workers age 25 years to 69 years and reporting at least 1 year of occupational UV exposure during the past 5 years and for more than 1 day per week for solar radiation. A total of 889 of the 3167 individuals interviewed reporting exposure to solar UV radiation and for which an average daily UV radiation exposure could be estimated were included in the study.…”

“…12 In brief, a total of 998 workers were considered as exposed to UV radiation. A total of 889 individuals reporting exposure to solar UV radiation, for which an average daily UV radiation exposure could be estimated, were included in this study.…”

Determinants of Sunburn and Sun Protection of Agricultural Workers During Occupational and Recreational Activities

“…Although there have been abundant investigations of sunburn occurrence during recreational activities (7)(8)(9)(10)(11), studies of sunburn prevalence and determinants during occupational activities, and of occupational sun protection behaviour are scant (12). Frequently and often unavoidably exposed to solar UVR, outdoor workers are at a high risk of sunburn during their occupational activities (13)(14)(15)(16). Furthermore, there is growing evidence that knowledge about sun protection and levels of acceptance of sun protection measures are insufficient in outdoor workers, leading them to use inadequate sun protection measures despite their highly exposed circumstances (17,18).…”