Measurement and Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Central Nigeria

Terver Sombo,Terkimbi Jude Shivil,Tertsea Igbawua

doi:10.11648/j.rst.20210702.13

Abstract

This work measured and modeled Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation exposure of outdoor workers (Traders, Drivers/Commuters and Construction workers) within Makurdi Metropolis. Digital broad band meter was used to measure Irradiance across the three occupations under consideration. Polymer Polysolphone dosimeters were used to quantify the amount of solar UVR absorbed by workers of these occupations, UV/VIS-Spectrophotometer was used to measure both post and pre-absorbance while GPS was used to measure the coordinate of the Sampling sites. The Polymer Polysulphone dosimeters were fitted on vital solar radiation access areas on a plastic human shape and placed in the sun from 9:30am- 4:00pm (6 hours 30 minutes). The result shows that head top had the highest values of 8.73 kJ/m2, 6.67 kJ/m2 and 7.40 kJ/m2 for drivers/commuters, construction workers and traders respectively while the dosimeters worn under clothe cover had the least values of 2.06kJ/m2, 2.56kJ/m2, 3.07 kJ/m2 at the market square, car park and construction site respectively. Similarly, UV Irradiances at various intervals were measured and the cumulative exposures calculated to be 610.98kJ/m2, 1923.84kJ/m2 and 3526.92 kJ/m2 respectively. The work sets a reliable baseline data for solar UV radiation monitoring in Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria.

Highlights

Outdoor work environments have high exposure levels of UV radiation and exposure is habitual during the noon hours [1] especially in regions with high solar radiation like Nigeria
For all the exposure sites, dosimeters placed on the head recorder high cumulative UV exposure doses, followed by the ones placed on the hands the eyes
The dosimeter placed inside the cloth recorded the least cumulative UV radiation across all location with values ranging from 2.06, 3.07 and 2.56 kJ/m2 for traders at market square, construction workers at construction site and motorist/passengers at North bank motor park suggesting that the fabrics we put on assists in reducing direct UV radiation exposures to the skin thereby reducing the harm to our bodies

Summary

Introduction

Outdoor work environments have high exposure levels of UV radiation and exposure is habitual during the noon hours [1] especially in regions with high solar radiation like Nigeria. The work environment may involve the presence of reflective surfaces, such as water for maritime workers or glass and metal for construction workers More so, both governmental and non-governmental organizations expect workers to carry out their daily duties during the mid-hours of the day and/or during the warm seasons, as this is always the case with the agricultural and construction jobs. Behaviors that can reduce over-exposure to UV radiation during our leisure time include wearing of protective clothing, caps, sun glasses, and application of sunscreen [2, 3]. These items play a vital role in determining the skin and eye exposure of a worker in the environment

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion