Abstract
Exposure to natural sunlight, specifically solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation contributes to lifetime risks of skin cancer, eye disease, and diseases associated with vitamin D insufficiency. Improved knowledge of personal sun exposure patterns can inform public health policy; and help target high-risk population groups. Subsequently, an extensive number of studies have been conducted to measure personal solar UV exposure in a variety of settings. Many of these studies, however, use digital or paper-based journals (self-reported volunteer recall), or employ cost prohibitive electronic UV dosimeters (that limit the size of sample populations), to estimate periods of exposure. A cost effective personal electronic sun journal (ESJ) built from readily available infrared photodiodes is presented in this research. The ESJ can be used to complement traditional UV dosimeters that measure total biologically effective exposure by providing a time-stamped sun exposure record. The ESJ can be easily attached to clothing and data logged to personal devices (including fitness monitors or smartphones). The ESJ improves upon self-reported exposure recording and is a cost effective high-temporal resolution option for monitoring personal sun exposure behavior in large population studies.
Highlights
A number of devices and innovative methodologies have recently been promoted advocating the benefits of monitoring personal exposure patterns to solar radiation
When employed for use as a practical cost effective high-temporal resolution sun journal, the infrared photodiode provides sufficient information on the ambient environment experienced by the wearer to log details on behavioral exposure patterns, not able to be recorded to such high resolution using traditional self-reported sun diaries
They enable precise measurement of intermittent or incidental sun exposure patterns while removing the burden placed on study participants to recall past sun exposure behavior
Summary
A number of devices and innovative methodologies have recently been promoted advocating the benefits of monitoring personal exposure patterns to solar radiation. These innovations are beneficial to the community and researchers as tools for monitoring sun-going exposure behavior. An inexpensive design is discussed in this research as an alternative for many in the research community utilizing self-reporting of personal sun exposure behavior as a method for studying exposure in study participants The aim of these studies is often to effect a reduction in the disease burden related to the natural exposure of the skin and eye to sunlight.
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