Gerrie Coetzee

Sunburn risk among children and outdoor workers in South Africa and Reunion Island coastal sites.

To estimate potential sunburn risk for schoolchildren and outdoor workers, ground‐based ambient solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) measurements were converted into possible child (5% of ambient solar UVR) and outdoor worker (20% of ambient solar UVR) solar UVR exposures by skin type and season for three coastal sites: Durban, Cape Point (South Africa) and Saint Denis (Reunion Island, France). Cumulative daily ambient solar UVR levels were relatively high at all sites, especially during summer, with maximum values of about 67, 57 and 74 Standard Erythemal Dose (SED) (1 SED = 100 J m−2) at Durban, Cape Point and Saint Denis respectively. Sunburn risk was evident for both children and outdoor workers, especially those with skin types I and II (extremely to moderately sensitive) during summer, early autumn and/or late spring at all three sites. Although results need to be verified with real‐time, instantaneous and nonintegrated personal solar UVR measurements, this understanding of sunburn risk is useful for initiating the development skin cancer prevention and sun protection awareness campaigns in both countries.

Solar ultraviolet radiation exposure and human health in South Africa: finding a balance.

In considering the likelihood of South Africa (SA) attaining the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, many health issues require urgent attention. The adverse effect of insufficient or excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) may exacerbate an already stressed public health service. These concerns become important when considering climate variability and patterns of behaviour.

Sensitivity of erythemally effective UV irradiance and daily exposure to uncertainties in measured total ozone

In this study the sensitivity of the erythemally effective radiation to uncertainties in operationally measured total ozone content of the atmosphere (TOC) was estimated. For this, daily operational TOC measurements from different instruments were applied covering the period from 1997 to 1999. Measurements were gained from space by Earth Probe Satellite, Earth Remote Sensing satellite/Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment and Operational Vertical Sounder and from the ground by Dobson and Brewer spectrophotometers for the locations of Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic, 50°N), Nairobi (Kenya, 1°S) and Springbok (Republic of South Africa, 30°S). The values were used as input parameter to model calculations of erythemally effective irradiance and daily radiant exposure.

Comparison of Ground-Based and Satellite-Derived Solar UV Index Levels at Six South African Sites

South Africa has been measuring the ground-based solar UV index for more than two decades at six sites to raise awareness about the impacts of the solar UV index on human health. This paper is an exploratory study based on comparison with satellite UV index measurements from the OMI/AURA experiment. Relative UV index differences between ground-based and satellite-derived data ranged from 0 to 45% depending on the site and year. Most of time, these differences appear in winter. Some ground-based stations’ data had closer agreement with satellite-derived data. While the ground-based instruments are not intended for long-term trend analysis, they provide UV index information for public awareness instead, with some weak signs suggesting such long-term trends may exist in the ground-based data. The annual cycle, altitude, and latitude effects clearly appear in the UV index data measured in South Africa. This variability must be taken into account for the development of an excess solar UV exposure prevention strategy.

Ambient solar UV radiation and seasonal trends in potential sunburn risk among schoolchildren in South Africa

Background. The detrimental effects of excess personal solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure include sunburn, immunosuppression and skin cancer. In South Africa, individuals with minimum natural protection from melanin, including fair-skinned individuals and African albinos, and people spending extended unprotected periods outdoors are at risk of sunburn, a risk factor for skin cancer. Sunburn becomes increasingly likely during the high solar UV radiation hours around midday, and previous studies have shown that children are exposed to potentially high, sunburn-causing solar UV radiation levels while at school. Method. To estimate national potential child sunburn risk patterns, monitored ambient solar UV radiation levels at six sites in South Africa were converted into possible schoolchild solar UV radiation exposures by calculating the theoretical child exposure to 5% of the total daily ambient solar UV radiation as derived from personal child exposure studies. Results. Schoolgoing children with skin types I, II and III were identified as being at greatest risk of sunburn. There were 44 and 99 days in a year when schoolchildren with skin type III (moderately sensitive) living in Durban and De Aar, respectively, would be likely to experience sunburn. Schoolchildren with skin type I (extremely sensitive) were at risk of experiencing sunburn on 166 days in De Aar, and those with skin types I and II were at risk on at least 1 day per year at all six locations. Conclusion. Seasonal patterns show that schoolchildren with sensitive skin types may experience sunburn in spring, summer and autumn months. Differences in child sunburn risk were evident, mainly due to latitude and atmospheric aerosols. Additional factors affecting sunburn risk include schoolchildren’s use of sun protection, sun-exposed activity, and timing and duration of exposure. Understanding risk patterns and obtaining locally relevant information will assist South African skin cancer prevention and sun protection awareness