Effect of Cloud on UVA and Exposure to Humans

• Published in: Photochemistry and photobiology 2001-09, Vol.74 (3), p.412-416
• Main Authors: Sabburg, J., Parisi, A. V., Wong, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Environmental Exposure; ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOBIOLOGY AND URV EFFECTS; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Photobiology; Queensland; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; Weather
• ISSN: 0031-8655; 1751-1097
• DOI: 10.1562/0031-8655(2001)074<0412:EOCOUA>2.0.CO;2

The daily autumn and winter ultraviolet-A (320–400 nm) (UVA) exposures and 6 min UVA irradiance data for a southern hemisphere subtropical site (Toowoomba, Australia, 27.6°S, 151.9°E) are presented. This data is used to quantify the effect of cloud on UVA using an integrated sky camera and radiation system. Additionally, an estimate of the effect of enhanced UVA exposure on humans is made. The measurement system consisted of broad-band visible–infrared and UVA sensors together with a sun tracking, wide-angle video camera. The mean daily June exposure was found to be 409 kJ m−2. Under the constraints of the uncertainty of both the UVA measurement system and clear-sky model, one case of enhanced UVA irradiance was found. Three cases of cloud enhancement of daily UVA exposure, approaching clear-sky levels, were also determined using a calculated clear-sky envelope. It was also determined that for a fulltime outdoor worker the additional UVA exposure could approach approximately that of one third of a full winter's day. For indoor workers with an outside lunch break of 12:00–1:00 P.M. the additional UVA exposure was on an average 6.9 kJ m−2 over three cloud-enhanced days. To the authors' knowledge this is the first paper to present some evidence of cloud-enhanced UVA human exposure.