Strategic Task and Break Timing to Reduce Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure in Outdoor Workers

Abstract

Objectives: Public health messaging about sun avoidance strategies is often not practical for outdoor workers. The objective of this study was to use personal monitoring data to determine when peak UVR exposure occurs for outdoor workers, estimate how much UVR could be reduced by altering the timing of shady tasks or breaks during peak exposure times, and descriptively compare these to peak periods of ambient UVR. Ultimately, we aim to provide evidence-based sun avoidance recommendations for outdoor workers in British Columbia, Canada. Methods: UVR exposure data [standard erythemal dose (SED)] were collected during the 2013 summer months in Vancouver, using personal electronic dosimeters that sampled once per minute for an average of 4.4 working days (range: 1–7 days). Mixed-effect models were used to estimate the 60-, 30-, and 15-min time intervals at which maximum exposure occurred for the months of July and August. Using these time intervals, UVR exposure during peak periods was summarized as SED and as a percentage of the total daily exposure. Ambient UVR was also collected using data from the nearest Brewer spectrophotometer station and parallel analyses were conducted. Results: There were 73 workers and 321 participant-days available for analysis. Models indicated that periods of maximum exposure for 15-, 30-, and 60-min intervals began at 12:28, 12:17 pm, and 11:52 am, respectively, for sunny days in July. These periods were similar in August. The median exposure during these time periods and the potential for reducing UVR was 0.03 SED (2.8% potential daily exposure reduction), 0.09 SED (7.1%), and 0.18 SED (15.9%), respectively. However, there was a large range in exposure estimates as some workers experienced up to 84.8% of their exposure in the peak 60-min interval. Conclusion: Skin cancer prevention messaging does not include practical messages for outdoor workers and providing times of peak UVR help to identify times when the greatest reductions in exposure can occur. Prevention measures including shady breaks, increased sun protection, and task reorganization during these peak times are recommended during these peak times to reduce UVR exposure among those at highest risk.

Risk assessment of occupational skin cancer among outdoor workers in southern Spain: local pilot study

“…In another study, as an important contribution, the authors suggested that sun exposure could be reduced substantially by implementing rational, strategic interruptions to the working day. If performed optimally, this approach could achieve a reduction of 0.18 SED per hour, a total of 15.9% less sun exposure during the day 29…”

Knowledge and the behavioral patterns of photoprotection among Koreans with skin disease

“…Patients were categorized into four groups based on skin disease: (1) skin cancer, actinic keratosis, and/or other precancerous skin diseases, (2) hyperpigmentary skin disorders such as melasma, freckle, and lentigo, (3) hypopigmentary skin disorders such as vitiligo, and (4) other and unspecified skin diseases such as acne, seborrheic dermatitis, or keloid. This categorization was based on diseases expected to be most significantly affected by UV radiation (skin cancer, hyperpigmentary skin disorders, and hypopigmentary skin disorders), including those with insufficient evidence of association with UV radiation (other and unspecified skin diseases) 1–9,21 . Patients who could not understand or answer the questionnaire due to their education level were excluded.…”

“…3,5 Studies have shown that these diseases are more prevalent in outdoor workers, occur more frequently in whites, and are more common in the face, an area of high exposure to sunlight. 6,7 In addition, hyperpigmentary disorders, such as melasma, freckles, and lentigines, are mainly attributed to sun exposure. 8 Although the exact cause of hypopigmentation disorders, such as vitiligo, is not clear, external stimuli such as UV radiation are known to be involved in melanocyte destruction.…”

“…In particular, UV radiation is known to cause genetic mutations related to tumor development in conditions such as actinic keratosis and skin cancer 3,5 . Studies have shown that these diseases are more prevalent in outdoor workers, occur more frequently in whites, and are more common in the face, an area of high exposure to sunlight 6,7 . In addition, hyperpigmentary disorders, such as melasma, freckles, and lentigines, are mainly attributed to sun exposure 8 .…”

Workplace exposure to UV radiation and strategies to minimize cancer risk

“… 30 Providing shaded areas for breaks and task rotation/flexibility during peak UVR hours may be more effective than relying on personal protective behaviours. 31 There is also no good evidence as to the effectiveness of these approaches in preventing skin cancer. For example, Sanchez et al .…”