Abstract
Reunion Island is a popular tourist destination with sandy beaches, an active volcano (Piton de la Fournaise), and Piton des Neiges, the highest and most dominant geological feature on the island. Reunion is known to have high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) with an ultraviolet index (UVI) which can reach 8 in winter and 16 in summer (climatological conditions). UVR has been linked to skin cancer, melanoma, and eye disease such as cataracts. The World Health Organization (WHO) devised the UVI as a tool for expressing UVR intensity. Thresholds ranging from low (UVI 1–2) to extreme (UVI > 11) were defined depending on the risk to human health. The purpose of the study was to assess UVR exposure levels over three of the busiest tourist sites on the island. UVR was measured over several hours along popular hiking trails around Piton de la Fournaise (PDF), Piton des Neiges (PDN), and St-Leu Beach (LEU). The results were compared with those recorded by the local UV station at Saint-Denis. In addition, cumulative standard erythemal dose (SED) was calculated. Results showed that UVI exposure at PDF, PDN, and LEU were extreme (>11) and reached maximum UVI levels of 21.1, 22.5, and 14.5, respectively. Cumulative SEDs were multiple times higher than the thresholds established by the Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification. UVI measurements at the three study sites showed that Reunion Island is exposed to extreme UVR conditions. Public awareness campaigns are needed to inform the population of the health risks related to UVR exposure.
Highlights
The main natural source of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on earth comes from the sun.UVR represents 5% of solar spectral irradiance
Island as a tourist destination, this study aims to assess the UVR exposure over three sites that are popular with local and foreign tourists throughout the year: the Piton de la Fournaise volcano (2630 m), the highest summit, Piton des Neiges (3070 m), and Saint-Leu Beach
We chose to carry out our surveys on three popular sites: the hike that leads to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Piton de la Fournaise, as the most visited natural site, the hike that allows visitors to climb up the Piton des Neiges (PDN), the highest summit of the island, and the beach in St-Leu (LEU), one of the most frequented beaches
Summary
The main natural source of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on earth comes from the sun. UVR represents 5% of solar spectral irradiance. Despite this small percentage, UVR is both essential and dangerous for the biosphere. UVR wavelength range is 100–400 nm and is divided into three wavebands, depending on its transmission capability in the atmosphere and its biological effects on humans. UVA (315–400 nm) represents 95% of the UVR reaching Earth, most UVB (280–315 nm) is absorbed by the atmosphere, and UVC (100–280 nm) does not reach Earth’s surface due to the ozone layer [1,2]. When going through the atmosphere, UVR is subject to several amplitude variations
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