Ultraviolet personal dosimetry: A new method for sunburn prevention by mobile telephone

Sun exposure cause manifold biologic effects, such as the induction of pigmentation and/or the synthesis of vitamin D, but also a series of harmful effects, as photodermatosis, photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. Such effects could be different according to the solar anamnesis (skin type), time and formalities of sun exposure. Environmental ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation is highly variable. Some of these variations are easily quantified, such as those due to changes in the solar elevation with latitude, time of day, and season. Other factors, such as clouds, are much less predictable and their spatial and temporal distributions are still poorly characterized, especially on local scales and for short-term fluctuations. The risk of overexposure may be increased under these conditions because the warning sensation of heat is diminished. In southern Italy and in other temperate regions, the amount of solar UV-B reaching the Earth's surface shows strong seasonal dependence. The UV Index is a forecast of the probable intensity of skin damaging ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface during the solar noon hour. This index is useful to inform people about risks of overexposure to UV radiation. The UV Index can range from O (when it is night time) to 15 (in the tropics at high elevations under clear skies). The harmful effects of UV radiation depend not only on the received UV dose but also on the sensitivity of the individual (skin type). Customized UV dosimetry is a project was carried out with the financial support of the Regione Campania (Italy), and scientific support of Department of Dermatology - University "Federico II" - Naples (Italy). This study has been performed in a central Mediterranean area (Capri city, 41° North) from August and September 2003. The values of UV index as obtained has been compared with those obtained in an our precedent study about measurements of solar UVB radiation reaching the ground on Naples City, from 1997-2002. With UV monitoring device has been possible calculate, the current UV Index, the minimal erythema dose (MED) of a person and to correlate the obtained values to the sunburn time. A photodermatology info center has been associated to UV monitoring station to furnish explanations about UV index, minimal erythemally dose, accumulated UV dose, sunburn time and photoprotection. The sunburn time is the maximum time one can stay unprotected in the sun without receiving a sunburn. It can be calculated for each skin type from the UV index. Simplicity and the reliability of the customized UV dosimetry, could have an important role in the prevention of damages from sun exposure, especially in the places of vacation.