Solar ultraviolet radiation: properties, characteristics and amounts observed in Brazil and South America
An. bras. dermatol
; 90(3): 297-313, May-Jun/2015. tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-749651
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
Abstract The beneficial and harmful effects of human exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-R) are topics that arouse great interest not only among physicians and scientists, but also the general public and the media. Currently, discussions on vitamin D synthesis (beneficial effect) are confronted with the high and growing number of new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and other diseases of the skin and eyes (harmful effect) diagnosed each year in Brazil. However, the lack of scientific knowledge on the UV-R in Brazil and South America leads to adoption of protective measures based on studies conducted in Europe and USA, where the amounts of UV-R available at surface and the sun-exposure habits and characteristics of the population are significantly different from those observed in Brazil. In order to circumvent this problem, the Brazilian Society of Dermatology recently published the Brazilian Consensus of Photoprotection based on recent studies performed locally. The main goal of this article is to provide detailed educational information on the main properties and characteristics of UV-R and UV index in a simple language. It also provides a) a summary of UV-R measurements recently performed in Brazil; b) a comparison with those performed in Europe; and, c) an evaluation to further clarify the assessment of potential harm and health effects owing to chronic exposures.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
Health problem:
Target 3.9: Reduce the amount of deaths produced by dangerous chemicals and the pollution of the air, water and soil
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Sunlight
/
Ultraviolet Rays
/
Environmental Exposure
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Incidence study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
An. bras. dermatol
Journal subject:
Dermatology
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Federal de Itajubá/BR