Laboratory facilities and recommendations for the characterization of biological ultraviolet dosimeters.

A laboratory facility for characterizing biological dosimeters for the measurement of UV radiation has been built and tested. The facility is based on a solar simulator, stabilized by photofeedback, and monitored by a spectroradiometer, with a versatile filter arrangement. This enables the following characteristics of the dosimeters to be ascertained: spectral response, linearity, and reciprocity; angular acceptance and response; calibration in simulated sunlight. The system has been tested on a variety of dosimeters and has the potential to be used with other radiometers, subject currently to the size of their active surface.

Spectral monitoring of biologically active solar UVB radiation using an in vitro model of vitamin D synthesis.

Vitamin D synthetic capacity of sunlight is the most well known beneficial effect of solar UV radiation. The article describes the new method of biological dosimetry of solar (and artificial) UV radiation based on an in vitro model of vitamin D synthesis (D-dosimeter). Particular attention is given to spectrophotometric analysis of the multicomponent mixture of vitamin D photoisomers that has been developed for the most effective use of D-dosimeter in situ.

'Vitamin D' biodosimeter: basic characteristics and potential applications.

The biologically important process of endogenous synthesis of vitamin D under UV solar irradiation is widespread in the biosphere and inherent to most animals and plants. A new method of biological dosimetry of UV radiation based on an in vitro model of vitamin D synthesis ('D-dosimeter') is discussed. Unlike the vast majority of biodosimeters, the action of which depends on the UV sensitivity of DNA and thus reflects damaging effects of UV radiation, the process of vitamin D synthesis is beneficial by its nature. To date, the complex network of photo- and thermoreactions of vitamin D synthesis in vitro is well understood, and an adequate mathematical model is available, ensuring a link between biological and physical units. Original spectral analysis of the multicomponent photoisomer mixture has been specially designed to provide the most effective use of the D-dosimeter in situ. Spectral selectivity (exceptional sensitivity of certain parameters to the spectral composition of UV radiation) extends the usefulness of the method.