ORIGINAL PAPER
Outdoor work and solar radiation exposure: Evaluation method for epidemiological studies
 
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1
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Chair of Occupational Medicine)
 
2
University of Rome “Sapienza,” Rome, Italy (Department of Astronautic, Electric and Energetic Engineering)
 
3
National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, Italy (Research Sector, Department of Occupational Hygiene)
 
4
National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, Italy (Research Sector, Department of Occupational Medicine)
 
 
Corresponding author
Alberto Modenese   

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Chair of Occupational Medicine, Via Campi 287, 41122, Modena, Italy
 
 
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2016;67(5):577-87
 
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ABSTRACT
Background: The health risk related to an excessive exposure to solar radiation (SR) is well known. The Sun represents the main exposure source for all the frequency bands of optical radiation, that is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging between 100 nm and 1 mm, including infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV) and visible radiation. According to recent studies, outdoor workers have a relevant exposure to SR but few studies available in scientific literature have attempted to retrace a detailed history of individual exposure. Material and Methods: We propose a new method for the evaluation of SR cumulative exposure both during work and leisure time, integrating subjective and objective data. The former is collected by means of an interviewer administrated questionnaire. The latter is available through the Internet databases for many geographical regions and through individual exposure measurements. The data is integrated into a mathematical algorithm, in order to obtain an esteem of the individual total amount of SR the subjects have been exposed to during their lives. Results: The questionnaire has been tested for 58 voluntary subjects. Environmental exposure data through online databases has been collected for 3 different places in Italy in 2012. Individual exposure by electronic UV dosimeter has been measured in 6 fishermen. A mathematical algorithm integrating subjective and objective data has been elaborated. Conclusions: The method proposed may be used in epidemiological studies to evaluate specific correlations with biological effects of SR and to weigh the role of the personal and environmental factors that may increase or reduce SR exposure. Med Pr 2016;67(5):577–587
eISSN:2353-1339
ISSN:0465-5893
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