In the last years a permanent increase of the skin cancer incidence was stated. Epidemiological studies proofed a correlation between UV exposure and skin cancer. In result of this project a database of the solar UV exposure level of different groups of employees working outdoors permanently or intermitted was established.

Taking possible healthy risks into account the assessment of the increased annual UV exposure levels of these employee groups requires a baseline UV exposure level. As reference UV baseline exposure the authors recommend the mean individual annual and workday UV exposure of indoor workers (with normal, lower activities outdoors in leisure time and holidays).

By the method of personal UV monitoring individual UV exposures were measured in the course of a year. The individual UV doses were registered separately for workday exposures, leisure time exposures and holiday exposures. Furthermore the body distribution of the solar UV exposure and its seasonal changings was investigated in the different occupational groups. In result, a data base of seasonal and annual UV exposures of 19 different body sites was established for the representative outdoor profession groups.

The occupational surrounding of building construction workers, agricultural workers/plant cultivation and dustmen served to be representative for permanent outdoor work. In case of intermitted outdoor work PE teachers, nursery school teachers and window cleaners were investigated. Compared to the reference UV baseline exposure the annual UV exposure of outdoor workers were increased to 300...500 % and dominated by the workday exposures. In case of the intermitted outdoor work an increase to 170...300 % was measured. In this occupational groups the workday exposures percentage of the in the annual UV exposure is twice compared to indoor workers.

To prepare future measurements of the individual UV exposure level at outdoor workplaces an intercalibration routine of usable personal UV dosimeters were carried out on one hand by laboratory calibrations using artificial UV sources. On the other hand solar UV radiation field intercalibrations of the personal UV dosimeter systems were carried out in comparison to high precision actinic broadband radiometers and to double monochromator spectroradiometers. This measurement technique also provided the personal UV monitoring with the global radiation data permanently.

In result, the data of the BAuA-research project 1777 can serve as a scientific base to provide the discussions on well-balanced health prevention regulations on outdoor workplaces.

Please download the complete report "Personal UV monitoring in outdoor workers" (in German only).