Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GLOBAL
SOLAR
UV INDEX
A Practical Guide
i
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ii
Contents
Preface iv
Introduction 1
The Global Solar UV Index – An Educational Tool 4
Reporting the UV Index – The Basic Scheme 6
Sun Protection Messages – Creating Variety 10
Educational Concepts and Their Practical Implementation 12
Annex
A Health Effects of UV Radiation Exposure 15
B Internet Links: Organizations Reporting the UV Index 19
C The UV Index 21
D Graphic Presentation of the UV Index 22
E Additional Sun Protection Messages 23
F List of Contributors 25
iii
Preface
A marked increase in the incidence of skin Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and
cancers has been observed in fair-skinned the German Federal Office for Radiation
populations worldwide since the early 1970s. Protection (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz,
This is strongly associated with personal BfS) (see Annex F for list of contributors).
habits in relation to sun exposure and its Since its initial publication in 1995, several
ultraviolet (UV) component, and the societal international meetings of experts (Les
view that a tan is desirable and healthy. Diablerets, 19941; Baltimore, 19962; Les
Educational programmes are urgently Diablerets, 19973; Munich, 20004) have been
needed to raise awareness of the damaging convened with the aim to harmonize the
effects of UV radiation, and to encourage reporting of the UVI and to improve its use as
changes in lifestyle that will arrest the trend an educational tool to promote sun
towards more and more skin cancers. protection.
The Global Solar UV Index (UVI) described in This practical guide, prepared by Eva
this document is a simple measure of the UV Rehfuess, is based on the consensus reached
radiation level at the Earth’s surface and an at the Munich meeting, and is intended to be
indicator of the potential for skin used by national and local authorities and
damage. It serves as an important vehicle to non-governmental organizations active in
raise public awareness and to alert people the area of skin cancer prevention, as well as
about the need to adopt protective meteorological offices and media outlets
measures when exposed to UV radiation.The involved with UVI reporting. This publication
UVI was developed through an international can serve as an entry point for the
effort by the World Health Organization development and implementation of an
(WHO) in collaboration with the United integrated public health approach to sun
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the protection and skin cancer prevention.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
the International Commission on Non-
1 Report of the WMO meeting of experts on UVB measurements, data quality and standardization of UV indices, Les Diablerets,
Switzerland, 22–25 July 1994. Geneva, World Meteorological Organization, 1995 (Global Atmosphere Watch, No. 95).
2 Educating the public about the hazards of ultraviolet radiation. Summary report. International workshop, Baltimore, 26–28
August 1996. Aberdeen Proving Ground MD, U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, 2001.
3 Report of the WMO–WHO meeting of experts on standardization of UV indices and their dissemination to the public, Les
Diablerets, Switzerland, 21–24 July 1997. Geneva,World Meteorological Organization, 1997 (Global Atmosphere Watch, No. 127).
4 UV index in practical use. Proceedings of an international workshop. Munich, Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Institute
of Radiation Hygiene, in press.
iv
Introduction
1
UV RADIATION LEVELS ARE INFLUENCED BY:
SUN ELEVATION
The higher the sun in the sky, the higher
the UV radiation level.Thus UV radiation
levels vary with time of day and time of
year. Outside the tropics, the highest
levels occur when the sun is at its
maximum elevation, at around midday
(solar noon) during the summer months.
LATITUDE
The closer to equatorial regions, the
higher the UV radiation levels.
CLOUD COVER
UV radiation levels are highest under
cloudless skies but even with cloud cover,
UV radiation levels can be high.
Scattering can have the same effect as
the reflectance by different surfaces and
thus increase total UV radiation levels.
ALTITUDE
At higher altitudes, a thinner
atmosphere absorbs less UV radiation.
With every 1000 metres increase in
altitude, UV radiation levels increase by
10% to 12%.
OZONE
Ozone absorbs some of the UV radiation
that would otherwise reach the Earth’s
surface. Ozone levels vary over the year
and even across the day.
GROUND REFLECTION
UV radiation is reflected or scattered to
varying extents by different surfaces, e.g.
fresh snow can reflect as much as 80% of
UV radiation, dry beach sand about 15%
and sea foam about 25%.
2
Small amounts of UV radiation are beneficial Furthermore, a growing body of evidence
for people and essential in the production of suggests that environmental levels of UV
vitamin D. UV radiation is also used to treat radiation may enhance the risk of infectious
several diseases, including rickets, psoriasis diseases and limit the efficacy of vaccina-
and eczema. This takes place under medical tions. Please see Annex A for a detailed
supervision and the benefits of treatment description of the health effects of exposure
versus the risks of UV radiation exposure are to UV radiation.
a matter of clinical judgement.
People’s behaviour in the sun is considered
Prolonged human exposure to solar UV to be a major cause for the rise in skin cancer
radiation may result in acute and chronic rates in recent decades. An increase in
health effects on the skin, eye and immune popular outdoor activities and changed
system. Sunburn and tanning are the best sunbathing habits often result in excessive
known acute effects of excessive UV exposure to UV radiation. Many people
radiation exposure; in the long term, UV consider intensive sunbathing to be normal;
radiation-induced degenerative changes in unfortunately, even children, adolescents
cells, fibrous tissue and blood vessels lead to and their parents perceive a suntan as a
premature skin ageing. UV radiation can also symbol of attractiveness and good health.
cause inflammatory reactions of the eye,
such as photokeratitis. Sun protection programmes are urgently
needed to raise awareness of the health
Chronic effects include two major public hazards of UV radiation, and to achieve
health problems: skin cancers and cataracts. changes in lifestyle that will arrest the trend
Between two and three million non- towards more and more skin cancers. Beyond
melanoma skin cancers and approximately the health benefits, effective education
132000 melanoma skin cancers occur programmes can strengthen national
globally each year.While non-melanoma skin economies by reducing the financial burden
cancers can be surgically removed and are to health care systems caused by skin cancer
rarely lethal, malignant melanoma substan- and cataract treatments. Billions are spent
tially contributes to mortality rates in worldwide to treat these diseases, many of
fair-skinned populations. Some 12 to 15 which could have been prevented or
million people are blind from cataracts. delayed.The Global Solar UV Index should be
According to WHO estimates, up to 20% of an important element of an integrated and
these cases of blindness may be caused or long-term public health approach to sun
enhanced by sun exposure, especially in protection.
India, Pakistan and other countries of the
“cataract belt” close to the equator.
3
The Global Solar UV Index
AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL
WHAT IS THE GLOBAL SOLAR UV radiation exposure. The UVI should especially
INDEX? aim at vulnerable and highly-exposed groups
The Global Solar UV Index (UVI) describes the within the population,e.g.children and tourists,
level of solar UV radiation at the Earth’s and should inform people about the range of
surface. The values of the index range from UV radiation-induced health effects including
zero upward – the higher the index value, the sunburn, skin cancer and skin ageing, and
greater the potential for damage to the skin effects on the eye and immune system.
and eye, and the less time it takes for harm to Educational messages should emphasize that
occur. the risk of adverse health effects from UV
radiation exposure is cumulative, and that
exposure in everyday life may be as important
WHY DO WE NEED THE UVI? as exposure during vacations in sunny climates.
A marked increase in the incidence of skin
cancer in fair-skinned populations worldwide
is strongly associated with excessive UV HOW IS THE UVI PRESENTED?
radiation exposure from the sun; it may also UV radiation levels and therefore the values
be associated with the use of artificial UV of the index vary throughout the day. In
radiation sources such as sunbeds. Current reporting the UVI, most emphasis is placed
evidence indicates that personal habits in on the maximum UV radiation level on a
relation to sun exposure constitute the most given day. This occurs during the four-hour
important individual risk factor for UV period around solar noon. Depending on
radiation damage. The UVI is an important geographical location and whether daylight
vehicle to raise public awareness of the risks saving time is applied, solar noon takes place
of excessive exposure to UV radiation, and to between local noon and 2 p.m. The media
alert people about the need to adopt usually present a forecast of the maximum
protective measures. Encouraging people to UV radiation level for the following day.
reduce their sun exposure can decrease
harmful health effects and significantly
WHERE IS THE UVI REPORTED?
reduce health care costs.
In many countries the UVI is reported along
with the weather forecast in newspapers, on
HOW SHOULD THE UVI BE USED? TV and on the radio; however, this is usually
This educational tool should be used as an done only during the summer months.
integral component of a programme to inform Annex B lists a series of Internet links that
the public about UV radiation health risks and provide the UVI for a range of countries and
sun protection, and to change people’s in many different languages.
attitudes and behaviour with respect to UV
4
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF A clearly defined as an educational tool, and its
HARMONIZED UVI? use must be based on effective communica-
Many countries use the UVI to promote sun tion with the public and the media.
protection. Surveys suggest that a large Uniformity of UVI presentation, and
percentage of the public is aware of the uniformity of sun protection messages
existence of the UVI but does not understand associated with different UVI values, will
its meaning or usefulness. These problems facilitate the delivery of a simple and relevant
are related to the lack of standardized message, and will help to familiarize people
messages associated with the UVI. The UVI is with this important concept.
5
Reporting the UV Index
THE BASIC SCHEME
LOW <2
MODERATE 3 TO 5
HIGH 6 TO 7
VERY HIGH 8 TO 10
EXTREME 11+
Table 1: UV radiation exposure categories
6
A SIMPLE AND RELEVANT MESSAGE the UVI as a guide to healthy, sun-protective
Acceptance by the general public of the UVI behaviour.
as useful daily information is the ultimate
goal. In order to achieve this, the messages From a public health point of view,
must be simple and easily understood. it is especially important to protect the
Reporting the UVI with relevance to the most vulnerable population groups. Based on
recipient will allow people to put the finding that more than 90% of non-
recommendations into practice and accept melanoma skin cancers occur in skin types I
and II (Table 2), the basic protective messages
associated with the UVI should focus on fair-
skinned people who tend to burn. Children,
who are particularly sensitive to UV radiation,
require special protection.
SKIN TYPE CLASSIFICATION BURNS IN THE SUN TANS AFTER HAVING BEEN IN THE SUN
l. Always Seldom
Melano-compromised Usually Sometimes
ll.
lll. Sometimes Usually
Melano-competent
lV. Seldom Always
V. Naturally brown skin
Melano-protected
VI. Naturally black skin
Table 2: Classification of skin types (adapted from TB Fitzpatrick and JL Bolognia, 19951)
1 Fitzpatrick TB, et al, reported in TB Fitzpatrick and JL Bolognia, Human melanin pigmentation: Role in pathogenesis of cutaneous
melanoma. In: Zeise L, Chedekel MR, Fitzpatrick TB (eds.) Melanin: Its role in human photoprotection. Overland Park, KS,Valdenmar
Publishing Company, 1995:177-82.
7
THE BASIC SUN PROTECTION MESSAGES
• Limit exposure during midday hours. Two different concepts of sun protection
• Seek shade. have been proposed: a binary response
• Wear protective clothing. with a defined threshold UVI value beyond
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect which sun protection is recommended, or a
the eyes, face and neck. graded response with increasing UVI values
• Protect the eyes with wrap-around- that would involve the successive use of
design sunglasses or sunglasses with different sun-protective measures. There
side panels. is little scientific basis to support the latter: if
• Use and reapply broad-spectrum sun protection is required, this should
sunscreen of sun protection factor include all protective means, i.e. clothing,
(SPF)15+ liberally sunglasses, shade and sunscreen (Figure 1).
• Avoid tanning beds. Nevertheless, a graded approach is relevant
• Protect babies and young children: this in the sense that more sun protection is
is particularly important. needed at higher UV radiation levels.
Shade, clothing and hats provide the best Even for very sensitive fair-skinned people,
protection – apply sunscreen to parts of the the risk of short-term and long-term UV
body that remain exposed, like the face and radiation damage below a UVI of 3 is limited,
hands. Sunscreen should never be used to and under normal circumstances no
prolong the duration of sun exposure. protective measures are needed. Above the
threshold value of 3, protection is necessary,
and this message should be reinforced at UVI
values of 8 and above.
You can Seek shade during midday hours! Avoid being outside during
safely stay Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and midday hours!
outside! slap on a hat! Make sure you seek shade!
Shirt, sunscreen and hat
are a must!
Figure 2: Recommended sun protection scheme with simple “sound bite” messages
8
GRAPHIC PRESENTATION OF THE UVI different media to cope with technical
A standard graphic presentation of the UVI limitations.The graphics package (see Annex
promotes consistency in UVI reporting on D) can be downloaded from the website
news and weather bulletins, and serves to of WHO’s Global UV Project Intersun
improve people’s understanding of the UVI http://www.who.int/uv/ and includes the UVI
concept. Ready-made materials for UVI logo, icons for UVI reporting, sun
reporting facilitate successful media uptake, protection icons, and colour codes
and more than one option is given to allow for different values of the UVI.
9
Sun Protection Messages
CREATING VARIETY
FALSE TRUE
A suntan is healthy. A tan results from your body defending itself against further damage
from UV radiation.
A tan protects you from the sun. A dark tan on white skin offers only limited protection equivalent to
an SPF of about 4.
You can’t get sunburnt on a Up to 80% of solar UV radiation can penetrate light cloud cover. Haze
cloudy day. in the atmosphere can even increase UV radiation exposure.
You can’t get sunburnt while in Water offers only minimal protection from UV radiation, and
the water. reflections from water can enhance your UV radiation exposure.
UV radiation during the winter UV radiation is generally lower during the winter months, but snow
is not dangerous. reflection can double your overall exposure, especially at high
altitude. Pay particular attention in early spring when temperatures
are low but the sun’s rays are unexpectedly strong.
Sunscreens protect me so I can Sunscreens should not be used to increase sun exposure time but to
sunbathe much longer. increase protection during unavoidable exposure. The protection they
afford depends critically on their correct application.
If you take regular breaks during UV radiation exposure is cumulative during the day.
sunbathing you won’t get sunburnt.
If you don’t feel the hot rays of Sunburn is caused by UV radiation which cannot be felt. The heating
the sun you won’t get sunburnt. effect is caused by the sun’s infrared radiation and not by UV radiation.
Table 3: UV radiation danger: Facts and fiction
10
USING COLOUR TO INCREASE VARIABILITY
Specific colours should be used for presenting The colour coding facilitates variation
the solar UVI. These do not have a scientific between geographic areas of high and low UV
basis but are a means of making the radiation levels, and a basic colour is defined
presentation of the UVI more appealing. for each category (Table 4; see also Annex D).
The colour within categories can be graded The approach focuses on the hours of the day
to allow for variation at the national level during which the UVI is above a given
where values often remain within one threshold value (Figure 5).While on one day the
category throughout the summer months UVI may reach a value of above 3 for no more
(see Annex D). than 30 minutes, on another day it may
remain above 3 for several hours. The advice
Not all media will be able to integrate the to the public emphasizes the need to adopt
variation in colour into their presentation. sun-protective practices during these hours.
Television media generally use standardized
maps and changing the colours may not be
feasible due to technical limitations. Similarly,
black and white print media will not be able
to use the recommended colour scheme.
1 The eps graphic files, which are downloadable from the website of WHO’s Global UV Project Intersun http://www.who.int/uv/, will
reproduce satisfactorily in most cases, allowing the worldwide reproduction of a standardized colour scheme. Pantone Matching
System (PMS) colour references may be used for minor colour correction.
2 The colour scheme currently used by the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia does not comply with the international colour codes
promoted in this publication.
11
Educational Concepts and
Their Practical Implementation
Increased sun exposure has been identified Schools are essential for getting the message
as the main reason for the increase in skin across to young people. Teachers and their
cancer rates since the early 1970s, and only associations should be encouraged to take
changes in lifestyle can stop this ongoing up the cause and include UV radiation
trend. Public education aims to improve awareness and protection projects in the
people’s knowledge about the health risks of educational system. Furthermore, all outdoor
excessive sun exposure, and to achieve a recreational sites – beaches, sports centres
change in attitudes and behaviour. Reducing and swimming pools, zoos and parks –
the occurrence of sunburn and cumulative provide a good setting for information about
UV radiation exposure over a lifetime will UV radiation levels and sun protection.
eventually cause skin cancer rates to decline.
As a large percentage of many people’s
It is important that information be presented lifetime exposure to UV radiation is received
in a positive manner that enables people to during vacations, tourists represent an
enjoy the sun safely but at the same time important audience for UVI reporting and
makes them aware of the need to avoid sun protection advice.
overexposure. The UVI should form an
integral element of programmes to educate
BUILDING NETWORKS AND
the public about the health hazards of
ALLIANCES
excessive UV radiation exposure.The sections
In order to change people's sun exposure
below address key elements of effective
habits and the current societal view that
education campaigns.
associates a tan with good health, long-term
strategies are required. The cooperation of
MAIN TARGET AUDIENCES AND SUN different sectors is necessary to implement
PROTECTION SETTINGS far-reaching educational strategies and
A majority of a person’s lifetime exposure create a supportive environment for the
occurs before age 18, and sun avoidance integration of sun protection into the culture
during childhood has a greater impact on of a country. For this reason, campaigns in
health risk reduction than sun protection many countries are organized as a collabora-
during adulthood. Therefore, children and tive effort between different medical and
adolescents should be the primary target for scientific associations, government and
education about the sun and how to avoid specialized private institutions, and
damage to health. An effective campaign can charitable societies.
have an enormous impact on public health: a
change in people’s behaviour towards Further partners in disseminating the
effective sun protection could eliminate message may include the tourism industry
more than 70% of skin cancers in Australia. such as airlines, hotel chains and cruise liners,
12
national weather bureaux and companies
producing sun protection items such as
sunscreen and sunglasses.
13
THE ROLE OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND HEALTH AGENCIES
• Encourage behaviour change through • Promote creative activities on sun
sign prompts and educational activities in protection, e.g. fashion shows using UV
community and recreation facilities and radiation-protective designs and fabrics,
services.These could include programmes science projects, and competitions.
in schools and kindergartens, the distri-
bution of brochures in public buildings, • Modify the physical environment and
banks, shopping centres and health care promote the consideration of shade in
centres, and sun protection fairs where urban planning and in the modification
health professionals participate in presen- of public places.
tations and skin cancer screening.
14
Health Effects of UV Radiation
Exposure
ANNEX A
Human exposure to solar radiation may the skin that attenuates UV radiation
result in acute and chronic health effects on penetration to the deeper layers of the skin.
the skin, eye and immune system. It is a Both changes are a sign of damage to the
popular misconception that only fair- skin. Depending on their skin type,
skinned people need to be concerned about individuals vary greatly in their skin’s initial
overexposure to the sun. Darker skin has threshold for erythema and their ability to
more protective melanin pigment, and the adapt to UV exposure. Chronic exposure to
incidence of skin cancer is lower in dark- UV radiation also causes a number of degen-
skinned people. Nevertheless, skin cancers erative changes in the cells, fibrous tissue
do occur with this group and unfortunately and blood vessels of the skin. These include
they are often detected at a later, more freckles, nevi and lentigines, which are
dangerous stage. The risk of UV radiation- pigmented areas on the skin, and diffuse
related health effects on the eye and brown pigmentation. UV radiation
immune system is independent of skin type. accelerates skin ageing, and the gradual loss
A comprehensive summary and review of UV of the skin’s elasticity results in wrinkles and
radiation-related health effects can be found dry, coarse skin.
in the WHO Environmental Health Criteria
Monograph Ultraviolet Radiation1 and in the
NON-MELANOMA SKIN CANCERS
Proceedings of an International Workshop on
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC)
Ultraviolet Radiation2.
comprise basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma. These are rarely
SKIN lethal but surgical treatment is painful and
often disfiguring. The temporal trends of
SUNBURN, SUNTAN AND SKIN
NMSC incidence are difficult to determine,
AGEING
because reliable registration of these cancers
The best known acute effect of excessive UV
has not been achieved. However, specific
radiation exposure is erythema, the familiar
studies carried out in Australia, Canada and
skin reddening termed sunburn. In addition,
the United States, indicate that between
most people will tan from the UV radiation
the 1960s and the 1980s the prevalence of
stimulation of melanin production, which
NMSC increased by a factor of more than
occurs within a few days of exposure. A
two. The risk of NMSC has been examined
further, less obvious adaptive effect is the
with respect to personal exposure, and the
thickening of the outermost layers of
1 Ultraviolet radiation. An authoritative scientific review of environmental and health effects of UV, with reference to global ozone
layer depletion. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1994 (Environmental Health Criteria Monograph, No. 160).
2 Proceedings of an international workshop on ultraviolet radiation exposure, measurement and protection, St Catherine’s
College, Oxford, 1999. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2000, 91:1-3.
15
NMSC is most frequent on parts of the body • A large number of atypical nevi (moles) is
that are commonly exposed to the sun such the strongest risk factor for MM in fair-
as ears, face, neck and forearms. This implies skinned populations.
that long-term, repeated UV radiation
exposure is a major causal factor. • MM is more common among people with a
pale complexion, blue eyes, and red or fair
Within some countries there is a clear rela- hair. Experimental studies have demon-
tionship between increasing incidence of strated a lower threshold erythema and
NMSC with decreasing latitude, i.e. higher UV more prolonged skin reddening in
radiation levels. melanoma patients than in controls.
16
EYE the data remain preliminary, there is
The eye is recessed within its orbit and increasing evidence for a systematic
shielded by the brow ridge, the eyebrows immunosuppressive effect of both acute and
and the eyelashes. Bright light activates the low-dose UV radiation exposure.
constriction of the pupil and the squinting
reflex to minimize the penetration of the Animal experiments have demonstrated that
sun’s rays into the eye. However, the effec- UV radiation can modify the course and
tiveness of these natural defences in severity of skin tumours. Also, people treated
protecting against the dangers of UV with immunosuppressive drugs have a
radiation is limited under extreme conditions greater incidence of squamous cell
such as sunbed use or strong ground carcinoma than the normal population.
reflection from sand, water and snow. Consequently, beyond its role in the initiation
of skin cancer, sun exposure may reduce the
Acute effects of UV radiation exposure body’s defences that normally limit the
include photokeratitis and photoconjunctivi- progressive development of skin tumours.
tis. These inflammatory reactions are
comparable to a sunburn of the very Several studies have demonstrated that
sensitive skin-like tissues of the eyeball and exposure to environmental levels of UV
eyelids, and usually appear within a few radiation alters the activity and distribution
hours of exposure. Both can be very painful, of some of the cells responsible for triggering
but are reversible and do not result in any immune responses in humans. Consequently,
long-term damage to the eye or vision. sun exposure may enhance the risk of
Extreme forms of photokeratitis are “arc-eye” infection with viral, bacterial, parasitic or
and “snow blindness”. fungal infections, which has been demon-
strated in a variety of animal models.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness Furthermore, especially in countries of the
in the world. Proteins in the eye’s lens developing world, high UV radiation levels
unravel, tangle and accumulate pigments may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.
that cloud the lens and eventually lead to Since many vaccine-preventable diseases are
blindness. Even though cataracts appear to extremely infectious, any factor that results in
different degrees in most individuals as they even a small decrease in vaccine efficacy can
age, sun exposure, in particular exposure to have a major impact on public health.
UVB, appears to be a major risk factor for
cataract development.
OZONE DEPLETION AND UV-
RELATED HEALTH EFFECTS
IMMUNE SYSTEM Depletion of the ozone layer is likely to
The immune system is the body’s defence aggravate existing health effects caused by
mechanism against infections and cancers, exposure to UV radiation, as stratospheric
and is normally very effective at recognizing ozone is a particularly effective UV radiation
and responding to an invading micro- absorber. As the ozone layer gets thinner, the
organism or the onset of a tumour. Although protective filter provided by the atmosphere
17
is progressively reduced. Consequently, Computational models predict that a 10%
human beings and the environment are decrease in stratospheric ozone could cause
exposed to higher UV radiation levels, and an additional 300 000 non-melanoma and
especially higher UVB levels that have the 4500 melanoma skin cancers and between
greatest impact on human health, animals, 1.6 and 1.75 million more cases of cataracts
marine organisms and plant life. worldwide every year.
18
Internet Links: Organizations
Reporting the UV Index
ANNEX B
CANADA
(English/French)
Meteorological Service of Canada
http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/uvindex/
19
ISRAEL SLOVENIA
(Hebrew/English) (Slovenian)
Israel Weather Forecast Environmental Agency of Slovenia
http://www2.iol.co.il/weather/Edefault.asp http://www.rzs-hm.si/zanimivosti/UV.html
ITALY SPAIN
(Italian/English) (Spanish)
Labratory for Meteorology and Environmental National Meteorological Institute
Modelling http://www.inm.es/wwz/fijo/estaciones.html
http://www.lamma.rete.toscana.it/previ/ita/stazlam.htm
SWEDEN
JAPAN (Swedish/English)
(English) Swedish Radiation Protection Institute
Shiseido UV Ray Information http://www.smhi.se/weather/uvindex/sv/uvprog.htm
http://www.shiseido.co.jp/e/e9708uvi/html/index.htm
SWITZERLAND
LUXEMBOURG (German/French)
(French) Federal Office of Public Health
Meteorological Station of the Lycée Classique http://www.uv-index.ch
de Diekirch
http://meteo.lcd.lu/ TURKEY
(Turkish)
MEXICO Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey
(Spanish/English) http://www.tubitak.gov.tr/
Mexico City Air Quality Report
http://sima.com.mx/sima/df/_zseeng.html UNITED KINGDOM
The Meteorological Office
NEW ZEALAND http://www.met-office.gov.uk/sec3/gsuvi.html
Lauder National Institute of Water and
Atmospheric Research (NIWA) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
http://katipo.niwa.cri.nz/lauder/homepg07.htm The Weather Channel
http://www.weather.com/activities/health/skin
NORWAY
(Norwegian/English) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NOAA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
http://uvnett.nrpa.no/ Climate Prediction Center
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/
POLAND uv_index/index.html
(Polish)
Institute of Meteorology and Water Management
http://www.imgw.pl/
PORTUGAL
(Portuguese/English)
Meteorological Institute
http://www.meteo.pt/uv/uvindex.htm
20
The UV Index
ANNEX C
The Global Solar UVI is formulated using the International Commission on Illumination (CIE)
reference action spectrum for UV-induced erythema on the human skin (ISO 17166:1999/CIE
S 007/E-1998). It is a measure of the UV radiation that is relevant to and defined for a horizontal
surface. The UVI is a unitless quantity defined by the formula:
400 nm
where Eλ is the solar spectral irradiance The second is to use a broadband detector
expressed in W/(m2.nm) at wavelengthλ and that has been calibrated and programmed to
dλ is the wavelength interval used in the give the UVI directly. Prediction of the solar
summation. ser(λ) is the erythema reference UVI is achieved with a radiative transfer
action spectrum, and ker is a constant equal model that requires the input of total ozone
to 40 m2/W. and the aerosol optical properties. A
regression model is used to predict the total
The determination of the UVI can be through ozone using the input from ground-based
measurements or model calculations. Two ozone spectroradiometers or from satellites.
measurement approaches can be taken: the A good cloud parameterisation is also
first is to use a spectroradiometer and to required unless only clear sky values are
calculate the UVI using the above formula. reported.
21
Graphic Presentation of the UV Index
ANNEX D
Helsinki
Oslo
Stockholm
Riga Moscow
Minsk
Dublin Berlin
London Warsaw
Kiev
Paris Prague
Vienna
Geneva Bucharest
Rome
Madrid Ankara Tblisi
Athens
Algier Tunis
Rabat Tehran
Tripoli
Canary
Islands Cairo
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Additional Sun Protection Messages
ANNEX E
23
• Springtime, gardening time. While tending MESSAGES FOR CHILDREN AS A
your flower beds, don’t forget to protect SPECIAL RISK GROUP
your skin. • Extended sun exposure during childhood
increases the risk of skin cancer later in life
and can cause serious damage to the eye.
ENVIRONMENT-BASED MESSAGES
• Identify risky situations. If your shadow is
• All children below age 15 have sensitive
short or if you are exposed for a long time
skin and eyes – protect them and set a
– protect yourself!
good example for them!
• Watch out! A lot of UV radiation can pass
• Children below one year of age must never
through clouds.
stay in direct sun.
• In the mountains, UV radiation levels
• The sun is getting stronger and children
increase by approximately 10% with every
are exposed to its damaging rays during
1000 metres in altitude. Snow reflection
lunch and recess. Encourage your children
can double the quantity of UV radiation
to use sun protection and to take a break
you are exposed to.
in the shade.
• Fresh snow can double your UV radiation
• Most of our lifetime UV radiation exposure
exposure, so wear sunglasses and
occurs before age 18. Protect your children
sunscreen!
… their skin will be healthier and look
younger throughout their lives.
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List of Contributors
ANNEX F
C.B. Archer, South African Weather Bureau V.L. Buchanan, U.S. Army Center for Health
(South Africa) Promotion and Preventive Medicine
(United States)
B. Armstrong, New South Wales Cancer
Council (Australia) W.R. Burrows, Meteorological Service of
Canada, Environment Canada (Canada)
A. Bais, Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) F. Carvalho, Institute for Meteorology
(Portugal)
J.H. Bernhardt, International Commission for
Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection J.-P. Césarini, Institut National de la Santé et
(Germany) de la Recherche Médical (France)
W. Bonta, National Conference of Radiation M. Davis, U.S. Army Center for Health
Control (United States) Promotion and Preventive Medicine
(United States)
J. Borkowski, Institute of Geophysics, Polish
Academy of Sciences (Poland) K. Dehne, Deutscher Wetterdienst
(Germany)
D. Broadhurst, Meteorological Service of
Canada, Environment Canada (Canada) Y. Deslauriers, Health Canada (Canada)
25
C. Driscoll, National Radiological Protection D. Kastelec, Hyrdometeorological Institute of
Board (United Kingdom) Slovenia (Slovenia)
S. Human, Technikon Natal (South Africa) C.S. Long, National Weather Service, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
L. Jalkanen, World Meteorological (United States)
Organization (Switzerland)
A. Manes, Israel Meteorological Service
M. Janouch, Czech Hydrometeorological (Israel)
Institute (Czech Republic)
G.F. Mariutti, Istituto Superiore de Sanitá
K. Jokela, Säteilyturvakeskus (Finland) (Italy)
26
A. McCulloch, ICI Chemicals and Polymers R. Philipona, World Radiation Centre
Ltd. (United Kingdom) (Switzerland)
R.L. McKenzie, NIWA Lauder (New Zealand) H. Plets, Royal Meteorological Institute
(Belgium)
A.F. McKinlay, National Radiological
Protection Board (United Kingdom) T. Prager, Hungarian Meteorological Service
(Hungary)
R. Meerkoetter, Deutsche Luft- und
Raumfahrt, Fernerkundungsdatenzentrum E.A. Rehfuess, World Health Organization
(Germany) (Switzerland)
R. Meisner, Deutsche Luft- und Raumfahrt, M.H. Repacholi, World Health Organization
Fernerkundungsdatenzentrum (Germany) (Switzerland)
27
E. Simeone, NEC Italia (Italy) G. Vlcek, Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz
(Germany)
P. Simon, Institut d’Aéronomie Spatiale
(Belgium) E. Vogel, Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz
(Germany)
C. Sinclair, The Cancer Council Victoria
(Australia) D.I. Wardle, Meteorological Service of
Canada, Environment Canada (Canada)
D.H. Sliney, U.S. Army Center for Health
Promotion and Preventive Medicine E. Weatherhead, NOAA (United States)
(United States)
A. Webb, University of Manchester Institute
H. Staiger, Deutscher Wetterdienst of Science and Technology (United
(Germany) Kingdom)
M. Steinmetz, Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz S. Wengraitis, U.S. Army Center for Health
(Germany) Promotion and Preventive Medicine (United
States)
C. Stick, Institut für Medizinische
Klimatologie, Kiel (Germany) U. Wester, Swedish Radiation Protection
Institute (Sweden)
F. Tena, Facultat de Fisica, Valencia (Spain)
M. Wittwer, Deutsche Krebshilfe (Germany)
M. Treiliba, Latvian Hydrometeorological
Agency (Latvia) L. Ylianttila, STUK-Radiation and Nuclear
Safety Authority (Finland)
28