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Effective exposure to solar UV in building workers: influence of local and individual factors

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 17, pages 58–68 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Excessive exposure to solar UV light is the main cause of skin cancers in humans. UV exposure depends on environmental as well as individual factors related to activity. Although outdoor occupational activities contribute significantly to the individual dose received, data on effective exposure are scarce and limited to a few occupations. A study was undertaken in order to assess effective short-term exposure among building workers and characterize the influence of individual and local factors on exposure. The effective exposure of construction workers in a mountainous area in the southern part of Switzerland was investigated through short-term dosimetry (97 dosimeters). Three altitudes, of about 500, 1500 and 2500 m were considered. Individual measurements over 20 working periods were performed using Spore film dosimeters on five body locations. The postural activity of workers was concomitantly recorded and static UV measurements were also performed. Effective exposure among building workers was high and exceeded occupational recommendations, for all individuals for at least one body location. The mean daily UV dose in plain was 11.9 SED (0.0–31.3 SED), in middle mountain 21.4 SED (6.6–46.8 SED) and in high mountain 28.6 SED (0.0–91.1 SED). Measured doses between workers and anatomical locations exhibited a high variability, stressing the role of local exposure conditions and individual factors. Short-term effective exposure ranged between 0 and 200% of ambient irradiation, indicating the occurrence of intense, subacute exposures. A predictive irradiation model was developed to investigate the role of individual factors. Posture and orientation were found to account for at least 38% of the total variance of relative individual exposure, and were also found to account more than altitude on the total variance of effective daily exposures. Targeted sensitization actions through professional information channels and specific prevention messages are recommended. Altitude outdoor workers should also benefit from preventive medical examination.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the companies Epiney SA (Sierre, Switzerland) and Tapparel Alexis (Montana, Switzerland) who allowed us to perform exposure measurement on their worksites.

The authors acknowledge Dr. Laurent Vuilleumier (MeteoSwiss) for providing data and expertise in the field of ambient irradiation.

This work was supported by a grant from the worker and work relations protection office (SPT) of Valais.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Occupational Health Sciences IST, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Antoine Milon, Pierre-Edouard Sottas & David Vernez

  2. University Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine IUMSP, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Jean-Luc Bulliard

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  1. Antoine Milon
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  3. Jean-Luc Bulliard
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  4. David Vernez
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Correspondence to David Vernez.

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Milon, A., Sottas, PE., Bulliard, JL. et al. Effective exposure to solar UV in building workers: influence of local and individual factors. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 17, 58–68 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500521

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