IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v13y2016i10p1041-d81266.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

UV “Indices”—What Do They Indicate?

Author

Listed:
  • Hanns Moshammer

    (Institute for Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria)

  • Stana Simic

    (Institute for Meteorology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 1180, Austria)

  • Daniela Haluza

    (Institute for Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria)

Abstract

Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation covers the spectrum of wavelengths from 100 to 400 nm. The potency and biological activity for a variety of endpoints differ by wavelength. For monitoring and communication purposes, different UV action spectra have been developed. These spectra use different weighting functions. The action spectrum for erythemal dose is the most widely used one. This erythemal dose per time or dose-rate has been further simplified into a “UV index”. Following this example, in our review we use the term “index” or (plural) “indices” in a more general description for all simplified single-value measures for any biologically effective UV dose, e.g., for human non-melanoma skin cancer and for previtamin D production rate. Ongoing discussion about the existence of an increased melanoma risk due to UV-A exposure underscores the uncertainties inherent in current weighting functions. Thus, we performed an online literature search to review the data basis for these indices, to understand their relevance for an individual, and to assess the applicability of the indices for a range of exposure scenarios. Even for natural (solar) UV, the spectral composition varies spatially and temporally. Artificial UV sources and personal protection introduce further variation to the spectral composition. Many biological effects are proposed for UV radiation. Only few endpoints have been studied sufficiently to estimate a reliable index. Weighting functions for chronic effects and most importantly for cancer endpoints have been developed in animal models, and often for proxy endpoints only. Epidemiological studies on biological effects of UV radiation should not only depend on single-value weighted UV dose estimates (indexes) but should strive for a more detailed description of the individual exposure. A better understanding of the adverse and beneficial effects of UV radiation by wavelength would also improve medical counseling and health communication regarding individual health-supportive behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanns Moshammer & Stana Simic & Daniela Haluza, 2016. "UV “Indices”—What Do They Indicate?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-10, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:10:p:1041-:d:81266
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/10/1041/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/10/1041/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniela Haluza & Regina Schönbauer & Renate Cervinka, 2014. "Green Perspectives for Public Health: A Narrative Review on the Physiological Effects of Experiencing Outdoor Nature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2016. "Sunbed Use Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Survey among Austrian Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2014. "Temporal and Spatial Melanoma Trends in Austria: An Ecological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Daniela Haluza & Markus Schwab & Stana Simic & Renate Cervinka & Hanns Moshammer, 2015. "Perceived Relevance of Educative Information on Public (Skin) Health: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Telephone Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hanns Moshammer & Stana Simic & Daniela Haluza, 2017. "UV-Radiation: From Physics to Impacts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-5, February.
    2. Elias Karlsson & Inga-Marie Hübner & Daniela Haluza & Magnus Falk, 2020. "Validation of SEPI in German—A German Translation of the Sun Exposure and Protection Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-9, August.
    3. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2016. "Sun Exposure Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results from the Austrian Population-Based UVSkinRisk Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, January.
    4. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2016. "Sunbed Use Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Survey among Austrian Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, February.
    5. Rob Roggema & Nico Tillie, 2022. "Realizing Emergent Ecologies: Nature-Based Solutions from Design to Implementation," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, November.
    6. David Jungwirth & Daniela Haluza, 2023. "Sports and the Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 on Active Living and Life Satisfaction of Climbers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    7. Reo Jones & Robin Tarter & Amy Miner Ross, 2021. "Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, March.
    8. Liz O’Brien, 2018. "Engaging with and Shaping Nature: A Nature-Based Intervention for Those with Mental Health and Behavioural Problems at the Westonbirt Arboretum in England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, October.
    9. Sus Sola Corazon & Ulrik Sidenius & Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Marie Christoffersen Gramkow & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, 2019. "Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-21, May.
    10. Reo J. F. Jones & Chloé O. R. Littzen, 2022. "An Analysis of Theoretical Perspectives in Research on Nature-Based Interventions and Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, October.
    11. Martin Mau & Anders Aaby & Søren Harnow Klausen & Kirsten Kaya Roessler, 2021. "Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-22, July.
    12. Norimasa Takayama & Akio Fujiwara & Haruo Saito & Masahiro Horiuchi, 2017. "Management Effectiveness of a Secondary Coniferous Forest for Landscape Appreciation and Psychological Restoration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-22, July.
    13. Sophie Kathrin Schaffernicht & Andreas Türk & Martha Kogler & Andreas Berger & Bernhard Scharf & Lukas Clementschitsch & Renate Hammer & Peter Holzer & Herbert Formayer & Barbara König & Daniela Haluz, 2023. "Heat vs. Health: Home Office under a Changing Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, April.
    14. Norimasa Takayama & Takeshi Morikawa & Ernest Bielinis, 2019. "Relation between Psychological Restorativeness and Lifestyle, Quality of Life, Resilience, and Stress-Coping in Forest Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-21, April.
    15. Lydia Oeljeklaus & Hannah-Lea Schmid & Zachary Kornfeld & Claudia Hornberg & Christine Norra & Stefan Zerbe & Timothy McCall, 2022. "Therapeutic Landscapes and Psychiatric Care Facilities: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-25, January.
    16. Michelle C. Kondo & Jaime M. Fluehr & Thomas McKeon & Charles C. Branas, 2018. "Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, March.
    17. Tonia Gray & Carol Birrell, 2014. "Are Biophilic-Designed Site Office Buildings Linked to Health Benefits and High Performing Occupants?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, November.
    18. Marion Porcherie & Nyan Linn & Anne Roué Le Gall & Marie-Florence Thomas & Emmanuelle Faure & Stéphane Rican & Jean Simos & Nicola Cantoreggi & Zoé Vaillant & Linda Cambon & Jean-Philippe Regnaux, 2021. "Relationship between Urban Green Spaces and Cancer: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
    19. Jürgen Schmude & Markus Pillmayer & Maximilian Witting & Philipp Corradini, 2021. "Geography Matters, But… Evolving Success Factors for Nature-Oriented Health Tourism within Selected Alpine Destinations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-18, May.
    20. Riki Tesler & Pnina Plaut & Ronit Endvelt, 2018. "The Effects of an Urban Forest Health Intervention Program on Physical Activity, Substance Abuse, Psychosomatic Symptoms, and Life Satisfaction among Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-12, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:10:p:1041-:d:81266. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.