The Early Days of Personal Solar Ultraviolet Dosimetry

Abstract

In the early 1970s, environmental conservationists were becoming concerned that a reduction in the thickness of the atmospheric ozone layer would lead to increased levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at ground level, resulting in higher population exposure to UV and subsequent harm, especially a rise in skin cancer. At the time, no measurements had been reported on the normal levels of solar UV radiation which populations received in their usual environment, so this lack of data, coupled with increasing concerns about the impact to human health, led to the development of simple devices that monitored personal UV exposure. The first and most widely used UV dosimeter was the polymer film, polysulphone, and this review describes its properties and some of the pioneering studies using the dosimeter that led to a quantitative understanding of human exposure to sunlight in a variety of behavioral, occupational, and geographical settings.

Association between vitamin D status and lifestyle factors in Brazilian women: Implications of Sun Exposure Levels, Diet, and Health

“…All dosimeters were manufactured and read at University Manchester (UK). 33 The radiation absorbed by the dosimeters was measured using a spectrophotometer, and spectral response function at 330 nm, to detect change in absorbency. 34 Exposure to UVR was expressed in Standard Erythema Dose (SED) units, with 1 SED being equivalent to 100 Jm –2 of erythemal UVR, which is considered an acceptable daily dose of exposure.…”

Bringing Light into Darkness—Comparison of Different Personal Dosimeters for Assessment of Solar Ultraviolet Exposure

“…There are a number of different methods to measure personal exposure to UV doses [6,7]. All of these different measurement systems have their own characteristics that have to be taken into account when choosing one of them for personal dosimetry.…”

Development, Characterization and Valuable Use of Novel Dosimeter Film Based on PVA Polymer Doped Nitro Blue Tetrazolium Dye and AgNO3 for the Accurate Detection of Low X-ray Doses

“…In particular, the precise measurement of low radiation doses remains a problem in view of the absence of effective and appropriate dosimeters even in a very low radiation range [ 13 , 14 ]. Recent advances in the field of dosimetry through the development of photographic films, Geiger-Muller and proportional counters have experienced continuous and rapid progress [ 15 , 16 ]. The investigation of solutions as standards, as well as the variation in oxidation states and color changes, have been extensively studied [ 17 , 18 ].…”