Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Solar UV exposure in construction workers in Valencia, Spain

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 23, pages 525–530 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has long been recognized as the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma and skin cancer. Outdoor workers are among the groups most at risk from exposure to solar UVR in their daily activities. Sensitive spore-film filter-type personal dosimeters (VioSpor) were used to measure the biologically effective UVR received by construction workers in the course of their daily work. The study took place in Valencia, Spain, in July 2010 and involved a group of eight workers for a period of 5 days. The median UV exposure was 6.11 standard erythema dose (SED) per day, with 1 SED defined as effective 100 J/m2 when weighted with the Commission Internationale de L’Eeclairage erythemal response function. These workers were found to receive a median of 13.9% of total daily ambient ultraviolet erythemal radiation (UVER). Comparison with the occupational UVR exposure limit showed that the subjects had received UVER exposure in excess of occupational guidelines, indicating that protective measures against this risk are highly advisable.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lucas R., McMichael T., Smith W., and Armstrong B. Solar ultraviolet radiation: global burden of disease from solar ultraviolet radiation. In: Prüss-Ustün A. et al. (Eds.) Environmental Burden of Disease, Series No. 13 World Health Organization, Geneva, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Birch-Johansen F., Jensen A., Mortensen L., Braae A., and Kjær S.K. Trends in the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in Denmark 1978–2007: rapid incidence increase among young Danish women. Int J Cancer 2010: 127: 2190–2198.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. de Vries E., Tyczynski J.E., and Maxwell Parkin D. Cutaneous malignant melanoma in Europe European network of cancer registries. ENCR CANCER FACT SHEETS No. 4 Intern Agency Res Cancer. November 2003.

  4. Fuglede N.B., Brinck-Claussen U., Deltour I., Boesen E.H., Dalton S.O., and Johansen C. Incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Denmark, 1978–2007. Br J Dermatol 2011: 165: 349–353.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Garbe C., and Leiter U. Melanoma epidemiology and trends. Clin Dermatol 2009: 27: 3–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Madan V., Lear J., and Szeimies R.M. Non-melanoma skin cancer. Seminar, www.thelancet.com, 2010: 375.

  7. Medhaug I., Olseth J.A., and Reuder J. UV radiation and skin cancer in Norway. J Photochem Photobiol B 2009: 96: 232–241.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. World Health Organization. World Cancer Report 2008. In: Boyle P., and Levin B. (Eds.) 2008.

  9. Cabanes A., Pérez-Gómez B., Aragonés N., Pollán M., and López-Abente G. La situación del cáncer en España, 1975–2006. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cáncer en cifras. Centro Nacional de Epidemiología Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Available at http://193.146.50.130/morta/grafs.php# grafs (accessed 15 June 2011).

  11. GLOBOCAN. World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available at http://globocan.iarc.fr/ (accessed 15 June 2011) 2008.

  12. CAREX project Available at http://www.esf.org/research-areas/space-sciences/activities/carex-project.html (accessed 15 June 2011).

  13. Kauppinen T., Toikkanen J., Pedersen D., Young R., Kogevinas M., and Ahrens W., et al. Occupational exposure to carcinogens in the European Union in 1990–1993. CAREX. International Information System on Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Maqueda J., De la Orden V., Kauppinen T., Toikkanen J., Pedersen D., and Young R., et al. Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens in Spain in 1990–1993: Preliminary Results. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  15. IARC Monographs. Evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans: solar and ultraviolet radiation 55, Lyon, 2000.

  16. Bauer A., Diepgen T.L., and Schmitt J. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiological literature: is occupational solar ultraviolet irradiation a relevant risk factor for basal cell carcinoma? Br J Dermatol 2011: 165: 612–625.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Downs N.J., Schouten P.W., Parisi A.V., and Turner J. Measurements of the upper body ultraviolet exposure to golfers: non-melanoma skin cancer risk, and the potential benefits of exposure to sunlight. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2009: 25: 317–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hakansson N., Floderus B., Gustavsson P., Feychting M., and Hallin N. Occupational sunlight exposure and cancer incidence among Swedish construction workers. Epidemiology 2001: 12: 552–557.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kenborg L., Jørgensen A.D., Budtz-Jørgensen E., Knudsen L.E., and Hansen J. Occupational exposure to the sun and risk of skin and lip cancer among male wage earners in Denmark: a population-based case–control study. Cancer Causes Control 2010: 21: 1347–1355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Lichte V., Dennenmoser B., Dietz K., Hafner H.M., Schlagenhauff B., Garbe C., and Fischer J. Professional risk for skin cancer development in male mountain guides—a cross-sectional study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2010: 24: 797–804.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Radespiel-Tröger M., Meyer M., Pfahlberg A., Lausen B., Uter W., and Gefeller O. Outdoor work and skin cancer incidence: a registry-based study in Bavaria. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2009: 82: 357–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Aceituno-Madera P., Buendía-Eisman A., Olmo F.J., Jiménez-Moleón J.J., and Serrano-Ortega S. Melanoma, altitude, and UV-B radiation. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2011: 102 (3): 199–205.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Boniol M., De Vries E., Coebergh J.W., and Dore J.F. Seasonal variation in the occurrence of cutaneous melanoma in Europe: influence of latitude. An analysis using the EUROCARE group of registries. Eur J Cancer 2005: 41: 126–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Chang Y., Barrett J.H., and Timothy D. Sun exposure and melanoma risk at different latitudes: a pooled analysis of 5700 cases and 7216 controls. Int J Epidemiol 2009: 38: 814–830.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. de Vries E., Boniol M., Dore J.F., and Coebergha J.W.W. Lower incidence rates but thicker melanomas in Eastern Europe before 1992: a comparison with Western Europe. Eur J Cancer 2004: 40: 1045–1052.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Downs N., Parisi A., and Schouten P. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma risks for golfers: an assessment of the influence of tee time for latitudes in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. J Photochem Photobiol B 2011: 105: 98–105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Micu E., Juzeniene A., and Moan J. Comparison of the time and latitude trends of melanoma incidence in anorectal region and perianal skin with those of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Norway. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2011; doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04023.x.

  28. Moehrle M., and Garbe C. Does mountaineering increase the incidence of cutaneous melanoma? A hypothesis based on cancer registry data Dermatology. Dermatology 1999: 199 (3): 201–203.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Pfeifer M.T., Koepke P., and Reuder J. Effects of altitude and aerosol on UV radiation. J Geophysical Res D: Atmospheres 2006: 111 (1).

  30. Gies P., and Wright J. Measured solar ultraviolet radiation exposures of outdoor workers in Queensland in the building and construction industry. Photochem Photobiol 2003: 78 (4): 342–348.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Gies P., Watzl R., Javorniczky J., Roy C., Henderson S., Ayton J., and Kingston M. Measurement of the UVR exposures of expeditioners on antarctic resupply voyages. Photochem Photobiol 2009: 85: 1485–1490.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Glanz K., Buller D.B., and Saraiya M. Reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure among outdoor workers: state of the evidence and recommendations. Environ Health 2007: 6: 22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Hammond V., Reeder A.I., and Gray A. Patterns of real-time occupational ultraviolet radiation exposure among a sample of outdoor workers in New Zealand. Public Health 2009: 123: 182–187.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Milon A., Sottas P.E., Bulliard J.L., and Vernez D. Effective exposure to solar UV in building workers: influence of local and individual factors. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2007: 17: 58–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Moehrle M., Dennenmoser B., and Garbe C. Continuous long-term monitoring of UV radiation in Professional mountain guides reveals extremely high exposure. Int J Cancer 2003: 103: 775–778.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Schmalwieser A.W., Cabaj A., Schauberger G., Rohn H., Maier B., and Maier H. Facial solar UV exposure of Austrian farmers during occupation. Photochem Photobiol 2010: 86: 1404–1413.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Serrano M.A., Cañada J., and Moreno J.C. Erythemal ultraviolet exposure in two groups of outdoor workers in Valencia, Spain. Photochem Photobiol 2009: 85: 1468–1473.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Siani A.M., Casale G.R., Sisto R., Colosimo A., Lang C.A., and Kimlin M.G. Occupational exposures to solar ultraviolet radiation of vineyard workers in Tuscany (Italy). Photochem Photobiol 2011: 87: 925–934.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Siani A.M., Casale G.R., Díemoz H., Agnesod G., Kimlin M.G., Lang C.A., and Colosimo A. Personal UV exposure in high albedo alpine sites. Atmos Chem Phys 2008: 8: 3749–3760.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Thieden E., Collins S.M., Philipsen P.A., Murphy G.M., and Wulf H.C. Ultraviolet exposure patterns of Irish and Danish gardeners during work and leisure. Br J Dermatol 2005: 153: 795–801.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. de Gruijl F.R. Sufficient vitamin D from casual sun exposure? Photochem Photobiol 2011: 87: 598–601.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Webb A.R., Kift R., Berry J.L., and Rhodes L.E. The vitamin D debate: translating controlled experiments into reality for human sun exposure times. Photochem Photobiol 2011: 87: 741–745.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Norval M., Cullen A.P., de Gruijl F.R., Longstreth J., Takizawa Y., Lucas R.M., Noonan F.P., and Van der Leun J.C. The effects on human health from stratospheric ozone depletion and its interactions with climate change. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2007: 6: 232–251.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Kampman M.T., and Steffense L.H. The role of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis. J Photochem Photobiol B 2010: 101: 137–141.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Van Amerongen B.M., Dijkstra C.D., Lips P., and Polman C.H. Multiple sclerosis and vitamin D: an update. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004: 58: 1095–1109.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Zittermann A., and Gummert J.F. Sun, vitamin D, and cardiovascular disease. J Photochem Photobiol B 2010: 101: 124–129.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Gilbert R., Metcalfe C., Oliver S.E., Whiteman D.C., Bain C., and Ness A., et al. Life course sun exposure and risk of prostate cancer: population-based nested case-control study and metaanalysis. Int J Cancer 2009: 125: 1414–1423.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Grant W.B. Relation between prediagnostic serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and incidence of breast, colorectal, and other cancers. J Photochem Photobiol B 2010: 101: 130–136.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Grant W.B., and Holick M.F. Benefits and requirements of vitamin D for optimal health: a review. Altern Med Rev 2005: 10 (2): 94–104.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. John E.M., Koo J., and Schwartz G.G. Sun exposure and prostate cancer risk: evidence for a protective effect of early-life exposure. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007: 16: 1283–1286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Humble M.B. Vitamin D, light and mental health. J Photochem Photobiol B 2010: 101: 142–149.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. EUROMELANOMA. Available at http://www.euromelanoma.org (accessed 5 April 2011).

  53. Biosense Laboratories Available at www.biosense.de/home-e.htm (accessed 11 April 2011).

  54. Moehrle M., and Garbe C. Personal UV dosymetry by Bacillus subtilis Spore Films. Dermatology 2000: 200: 1–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. O’Riordan D.L., Glanz K., Gies P., and Elliott T. A pilot study of the validity of self-reported ultraviolet radiation exposure and sun protection practices among lifeguards, parents and children. Photochem Photobiol 2008: 84 (3): 774–778.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Furusawa Y., Quintern L.E., Holtschmidt H., Koepke P., and Saito M. Determination of erythema-effective solar radiation in Japan and Germany with a spore monolayer film optimized for the detection of UVA and UVA—results of a field campaign. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 1998: 50: 597–603.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Munakata N., Kazadzis S., Bais A.F., Hieda K., Ronto G., Rettberg P., and Horneck G. Comparisons of spore dosimetry and spectral photometry of solar-UV radiation at four sites in Japan and Europe. Photochemistry and Photobiology 2000: 72 (6): 739–745.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. McKinlay A.F., and Diffey B.L. A reference action spectrum for ultraviolet induced erythema in human skin. CIE Journal 1987: 6: 17–22.

    Google Scholar 

  59. CIE. International commission on illumination, standard erythema dose, a review. CIE Journal 1997: 125: 1–5. Vienna.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Quintern L.E., Furusawa Y., Fukutsu K., and Holtschimdt H. Characterization and application of UV detector spore-films: the sensitivity curve of a new detector system provides good similarity to the action spectrum for UV-induced erythema in human skin. J Photochem Photobiol B 1997: 37: 158–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Seckmeyer G., Mayer B., and Bernhard G. The 1997 Status of Solar UV Spectroradiometry in Germany: results from the National Intercomparison of UV Spectroradiometers, with contributions from Albold A., Baum W., Dehne K., Feister U.,Gericke K., Grewe R., Gross C., Sandmann H., Schreiber J., Seidlitz H.K., Steinmetz M., Thiel S., Wallasch M. and Weller M. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Fraunhofer Institute for Atmospheric Environmental Research 1998. 55/98, ISBN: 3-8265-3695-9.

  62. Programa meteorología de la Fundación Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterráneo (Generalitat Valenciana). http://www.gva.es/ceamet/vigilancia/radUV/radUV.html. (accessed 2 March 2011).

  63. Hülsen G., and Gröbner J. Characterization and calibration of ultraviolet broadband radiometers measuring erythemally weighted irradiance. Appl Opt 2007: 46: 5877–5886.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Vilaplana J.M., Cachorro V.E., Sorribas M., Luccini E., de Frutos A.M., and Berjón A., et al. Modified calibration procedures for a Yankee Environmental System UVB-1 biometer based on spectral measurements with a Brewer spectrophotometer. J Photochem Photobiol 2006: 82: 508–514.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Cañada J., Esteve A.R., Marin M.J., Utrillas M.P., Tena F., and Martinez-Lozano J.A. Study of erythemal, UV(A+B) and global solar radiation in Valencia (Spain). Intern J Climatol 2008: 28: 693–702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Tena F., Martinez-Lozano J.A., Utrillas M.P., Marin M.J., Esteve A.R., and Cañada J. The erythemal clearness index for Valencia, Spain. Intern J Climatol 2009: 29: 147–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. IRPA (International Radiation Protection Association). Guidelines on limits of exposure to ultraviolet radiation of wavelengths between 180 nm and 400 nm (incoherent optical radiation). Health Physics 1985: 49 (2): 331–340.

    Google Scholar 

  68. ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). Protection of workers against ultraviolet radiation. Health Physics 2010: 99 (1): 66–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). Protecting workers from ultraviolet radiation. In: Vecchia P., Hietanen M., Stuck B.E., van Deventer E., Niu S. ICNIRP14/2007. ICNIRP, Oberschleissheim, Germany.

  70. ACGIH, TLVs and BEI. Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents, biological exposure indices. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, 1999, 154–158.

  71. Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) Available at http://www.aemet.es/(accessed 7 March 2011).

  72. NASA. Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer. Available at http://jwocky.gsfc.nasa.gov/(accessed 7 March 2011).

  73. ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). Global Solar UV Index. ICNIRP-1/95, 1995.

  74. World Health Organization. Global Solar UV Index: A Practical Guide. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2002.

Download references

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Universitat Politècnica de València building staff for their cooperation in this study. We are also grateful to the State Agency for Meteorology and the Generalitat Valenciana for providing us with access to their meteorological data. We would like to thank the R&D&I Linguistic Assistance Office, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain) for granting financial support for proofreading this paper. This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science within the research project CGL2010-15931 and the Generalitat Valenciana within project PROMETEO/2010/064.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ingeniería Energética, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, España,

    María-Antonia Serrano, Javier Cañada & Juan Carlos Moreno

Authors
  1. María-Antonia Serrano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Javier Cañada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Juan Carlos Moreno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

Members of the Valencia Solar Radiation Research Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to María-Antonia Serrano.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Serrano, MA., Cañada, J., Moreno, J. et al. Solar UV exposure in construction workers in Valencia, Spain. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 23, 525–530 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.58

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.58

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links