Excessive Ultraviolet Radiation Research Articles

Skin cancer risk behaviors in sexual minority men: A mixed methods approach.

Sexual minority men experience disproportionately elevated rates of skin cancers, likely driven by excess ultraviolet radiation exposure-namely through tanning behaviors. However, limited integrated theoretical models exist to explain sexual minority men's elevated skin cancer risk. The aim of the current study is to further test and refine an integrated theory of skin cancer risk behaviors among sexual minority men by incorporating minority stress into the integrated health behavior model of tanning. The study employed a parallel mixed methods design, with a Phase 1 qualitative stage (N = 30) and a Phase 2 quantitative stage (Model 1: N = 320; Model 2: N = 319). In both phases, participants were sexual minority men, equally stratified as those with versus without recent tanning exposure and were recruited from across the United States. Qualitative and quantitative data supported the overall integrated model, with some quantitative paths varying depending on the tanning behavior outcome. Overall, appearance-related motives to tan and beliefs that tanning regulates affect emerged as the most consistent proximal predictors. Minority stress significantly predicted holding more positive attitudes toward tanning as an effective affect regulation strategy. The results from this mixed methods study support the inclusion of minority stressors into the adapted integrative health behavior model of tanning. Replication within prospective designs would strengthen the evidence for this model, which may be helpful in guiding future skin cancer prevention programs tailored to sexual minority men. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Acid-catalyzed phenolation of lignin with tea polyphenol: Enhancing uv resistance and oxidation resistance for potential applications

The rapid development of the industry has led to the destruction of the earth's ozone layer, resulting in an increasingly serious problem of excessive ultraviolet radiation. Exploring effective measures to address these problems has become a hot topic. Lignin shows promise in the design and preparation of anti-ultraviolet products due to its inherent properties. However, it is important to investigate way to enhance the reactivity of lignin and determine its application form in related products. In this study, phenolic reactions with tea polyphenols were conducted through acid-catalyzed conversion, utilizing organic solvent lignin as the primary material. The phenolic hydroxyl content of the original lignin increased significantly by 218.8 %, resulting in notable improvements in UV resistance and oxidation resistance for phenolic lignin. Additionally, micro-nanocapsule emulsions were formed using phenolic lignin particles as surfactants through ultrasonic cavitation with small-molecule sunscreens. A bio-based sunscreen was prepared with phenolated lignin micro-nanocapsules as the active ingredient, achieving an SPF 100.2 and demonstrating excellent stability. The sunscreen also exhibited strong antioxidant properties and impermeability, ensuring user safety. This research offers a current solution for improving the application of lignin in sunscreens while also broadening the potential uses of plant-based materials in advanced functional products.

Photochromic Perovskite Nanocrystals for Ultraviolet Dosimetry.

Excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation has serious damage to human's health, therefore the development of visible, portable, and wearable sensor for monitoring UV radiation, especially the cumulative UV dosage, is highly desired but full of challenges. Herein, a wearable and flexible UV dosimeter based on photochromic perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) is designed. The obtained CsPbCl3 PNCs dispersed in dibromomethane (PNCs-DBM) undergo continuous, vivid, and multiple (from very weak purple to blue, cyan, and finally strong green) color change in response to UV radiation. It is demonstrated that the UV-induced degradation of DBM and subsequent anion-exchange reaction between CsPbCl3 and Br- , play a crucial role in the color change of PNCs-DBM. The properties of continuous fluorescence color change and enhanced fluorescence intensity enable the construction of sensitive and visible UV dosimeter. Furthermore, by integrated photochromic PNCs with flexible bracelet or PDMS substrate, a wearable UV sensor or a multi-indicator array for the detection of solar UV dosage is developed. This work may advance the fundamental understanding about photochromic perovskite, and show promising application of perovskite nanomaterials in easily fabricated, low-cost, visualized, and wearable solar UV dosimeter.

Assessment of UV Protection for Children's Summer Clothing.

Excess ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure during childhood poses a particular long-term risk of developing skin cancer later in life however recent studies have called attention to the absorption of chemical sunscreen ingredients into the bloodstream with unclear significance.This has led to recommendations to consider sun protection in the form of clothing to reduce the need for sunscreen products. Ten brands of routine summer clothing not labeled as sun protective from five distributors marketed for children were identified with varying price ranges.Summer clothing items consisting of T-shirts and tops were evaluated for fiber composition, cost, and UPF testing was performed to determine UVA and UVB transmittance. Results: Around 88.2% of blended textile compositions compared to 60% of 100% cotton textiles offered adequate UV protection with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) greater than 15. 58% of blended fabrics compared to 50% of cotton textiles offered a UPF greater than 30. There was no correlation between brand and cost with UPF values. Conclusions: In the absence of regulations for testing and labeling of all children's garments for UV protection, guidelines for the pediatric population for choosing clothing for the summer should reflect the information available to consumers that is easy to understand and more likely to result in higher UPF values.Based on fiber composition, blended textiles are more likely to have adequate UV protection compared to 100% cotton or 100% polyester.

Gadusol is a maternally provided sunscreen that protects fish embryos from DNA damage

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is harmful to living cells, leading organisms to evolve protective mechanisms against UVR-induced cellular damage and stress.1,2 UVR, particularly UVB (280-320nm), can damageproteins and DNA, leading to errors during DNA repair and replication. Excessive UVR can induce cellulardeath. Aquatic organisms face risk of UV exposure as biologically harmful levels of UVB can penetrate >10m in clear water.3 While melanin is the only known sunscreen in vertebrates, it often emerges late in embryonic development, rendering embryos of many species vulnerable during the earlier stages. Algae and microbes produce a class of sunscreening compounds known as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs).4 Fish eggs contain a similar compound called gadusol, whose role as a sunscreen has yet to be tested despite its discovery over 40 years ago.5 The recent finding that many vertebrate genomescontain a biosynthetic pathway for gadusol suggests that many fish may produce and use this molecule as a sunscreen.6 We generated a gadusol-deficient mutant zebrafish to investigate the role of gadusol in protecting fish embryos and larvae from UVR. Our results demonstrate that maternally provided gadusol is the primary sunscreen in embryonic and larval development, while melanin provides modest secondary protection. The gadusol biosynthetic pathway is retained in the vast majority of teleost genomes but is repeatedly lost in species whose young are no longer exposed to UVR. Our data demonstrate that gadusol is a maternally provided sunscreen that is critical for early-life survival in the most species-rich branch of the vertebrate phylogeny.

ЕНЕРГОЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ СУЧАСНИХ СОНЦЕЗАХИСНИХ ФАСАДІВ

The article presents the analysis of the basic principles of work of traditional and innovative solar protecting devices which besides their primary function contribute to reducing energy consumption. The examples of modern worldwide experience of use of solar protective elements for building’s façades are given. In the first part of this article, it was looked at the modern architectural structures described in literature. The second part is dedicated to a historical research about traditional solar protective elements known to mankind from the old times of its existence. In conclusion the possible methods of simultaneous minimization of heat losses and expenses are specified. Variants of further of scientific and practical research and projects in this field are presented. The danger of excessive ultraviolet radiation towards people is already considered by the architects while implementing all the necessary means of protection in the project and is reflected in solar protected façades design. These shadowing devices directly influence external building look and are an important part of façade design. Apart from that, more than one third of world energy consumption comes from the building sector. Since modern architecture has a huge area of glazing a decent amount of sun radiation goes through the windows of tall buildings. This solar energy might be used for energy generating and consumption in the buildings. One of the most crucial problems of historical cities is the possible adaptation of architectural monuments to new realities, conditioning, laying of engineering networks or alternative energetic resources usage. Any intervention to historical buildings is to be made after a careful examination. New technical developments might either be damaging or beneficial. Learning about potential symbiosis creates a huge capability for engineering or architectural scientific research. The future of historical cities stands behind a so-called cyberantiquity. The issue of energy efficiency in architecture regardless its unequal distribution is worldwide. The natural resources and rational nature management problem undoubtedly found a response in architectural solutions and requires continuous technological development of building materials, structures, and their use in practice. The mentioned means and methods of protection against direct solar radiation are quite possible to implement in our country and especially in our city, Odessa. So, what can be done today? It is quite possible to integrate photovoltaic panels even in historical buildings, for example, together with façade marquises. A project like this requires detailed calculation, but it can become a promising direction in the renovation and restoration of urban heritage. Combining modern innovations with traditional sun protection products proven over the years can be especially effective. The main task of modern architecture in this direction is the search and development of techniques and methods of façade protection of buildings and apartments from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light and their further application in real life.

Optimization of Gelling Agent of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seed Oil Gel and Its Stability and Activity Test In Vitro as Sunscreen

Excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can harm human skin, such as skin erythema or sunburn, premature aging of the skin, darker skin discoloration, and damage to skin cells. Skin protection, like sunscreen, is needed to prevent the negative effects of UV rays. This study aims to evaluate the optimum formula, the physical properties, and the activity of a sunscreen gel preparation of sunflower seed oil in vitro. The method in this study was optimization with Design Expert version 10 of the carbopol gelling agent and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The optimum formula obtained was tested for its physical properties and activity as a sunscreen in vitro with a spectrophotometer. The results showed that the physical properties of the optimum formula were good, and stable during storage, pH, spreadability, adhesion, and viscosity were close to predictions, and the in vitro SPF test obtained a value of 15.60.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Dark Skin: Molecular Mechanism and Skincare Implications.

Human skin is characterized by significant diversity in color and tone, which are determined by the quantity and distribution of melanin pigment in the epidermis. Melanin absorbs and reflects ultraviolet radiation (UVR), preventing the damage to genomic DNA in the epidermis and degradation of collagen in the dermis; therefore, darker skin types are thought to be well protected from the photodamage because of the high melanin content. However, increased content of melanin in combination with the extrinsic stress factors causing inflammation such as excess UVR, allergic reactions, or injury can also frequently lead to cosmetic problems resulting in discoloration and scarring. This review summarizes current knowledge on histopathology and likely molecular signatures of one of the most common problems, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). The mechanisms proposed so far are subsequently discussed in the context of other factors characterizing darker skin types. This includes the common cellular features, organization of upper skin layers, and major biomarkers, with particular emphasis on increased propensities to systemic and localized inflammation. Enhanced or prolonged inflammatory responses can not only affect the process of melanogenesis but also have been implicated in injury-related skin pathologies and aging. Finally, we summarize the major cosmetic treatments for PIH and their known anti-inflammatory targets, which can be beneficial for darker skin tones and combined with broad-spectrum filters against UVR.

A study on the anti-skin tumor and anti-UVB damage effects of Gastrodia elata Bl. Products transformed by Armillaria mellea

ABSTRACT Skin cancer is a malignant tumour that can spread in the skin and is a serious threat to human health. Excessive ultraviolet radiation is one of the most common factors that leads to skin cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-skin tumour and anti-UVB damage effects of Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm transformed Gastrodia elata Bl products (ATGP). Gastrodia elata Blume f.glauca S. Chows from Changbai Mountain and 4 Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm strains were used as experimental materials. First, the optimum fungal strains of Armillaria mellea used to transform gastrodin were screened. Then, the MTT assay and scratch test proved that ATGP had anti-B16 melanoma cell activity in vitro. Furthermore, the anti-UVB damage effect of ATGP was proven by a UVB damage mouse skin model and HaCat photoaging model, and its mechanism was preliminarily discussed.

A Comprehensive Review of the Hybrid Solar Dryers

In numerous under developed and developing countries, agrarian biological products are dried in open sun and this system of drying diminishes the exceptional quality, widespread acceptance and standard of the dried products because of hindrance from external contaminations, excessive ultra violet radiation and uneven drying rates. Decreasing petroleum derivative saves and expanding impacts of evolution global climate change environmental change because of ozone harming substance discharges have prompted a phenomenal worldwide interest in sustainable wellsprings of energy in food processing. A main competitor among these arising innovations is the change of sunlight to electric power as a substitute and steadiness for sun oriented drying framework. This process can be accomplished directly with sun powered cells (utilizing the photovoltaic impact) or indirectly by concentrating incident solar radiation to generate high-quality heat, which then supports heat production in conventional solar dryers. Various types of solar dryers have been designed and developed in different regions of the world, offering exclusive technical performances. In the hybrid solar dryers, the drying process is successful even under ominous atmospheric conditions. In this assessment paper, we reviewed unique forms of hybrid oriented solar dryers with respect to unique layout adjustments to be able to increase their effectiveness and thermal stability.

Photochromic spiropyrane/silicone composite enabling convenient detection of ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight

It is well-known that exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation often causes skin erythema, pigmentation and even cancer. Therefore, it is very necessary to timely know UV radiation in the sunlight. Herein, a methacryloxy-functionalized spiropyran (MASP)/silicone elastomer composite (MASP/Si) with controlled photochromic behavior is developed, and thus a colorimetric card consisted of diverse colors caused by various given intensity of UV radiation is established. The photochromic behavior indicates that the photochromic MASP/Si with 0.1 wt% MASP reveals rapid UV radiation response and good fatigue resistance to alternant UV radiation and visible light. Based on the established colorimetric card, the MASP/Si can be used as a UV detector to detect repeatedly the intensity of UV radiation in the sunlight. Even after storage at ambient for nearly one year or 50 times distortion, the MASP/Si still can well detect the UV radiation.

FORMULATION OF SOLAR CREAM EXTRACT ETHANOL GANGGANG GREEN (Ulva lactuca L.) AND IN VITRO TEST OF SPF VALUE (SUN PROTECTING FACTOR)

<p>Excessive ultraviolet radiation or UV rays will make the epidermal tissue in the skin unable to resist the harmful effects. Sunscreen is a cosmetic ingredient that functions as a physical or chemical function as a barrier to the penetration of UV rays into the skin. Plants that can function as sunscreens because they have phenolic compounds, one of which is green algae (<em>Ulva lactuca</em> L).</p><p>This type of research is an experimental study using UV-Vis spectrophotometry to determine the ability of sun cream to inhibit UV radiation to the skin. The purpose of this study was to formulate sunscreen cream from ethanol extract of green algae (<em>Ulva lactuca</em> L.) and measure the best SPF (<em>Sun Protecting Factor</em>) value of various concentrations of green algae (Ulva lactuca L.) ethanol extract sunscreen cream.</p><p>The results of the study the SPF value of formula 1 (cream base) was 1.5077, which means formula 1 has no activity as sunscreen, formula 2 (3% green algae extract) with formula 2 (3% extract extract) with an SPF value of 7,311 which is classified as in the extra protection category, formula 3 (4% extract concentration) has an SPF value of 13,427 which is included in the maximum protection category and formula 4 with an SPF value of 19,282 which belongs to the ultra protection category. The cream formulation with the highest SPF value was formula 4. The higher the extract concentration, the higher the SPF value.</p>

Personal Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure of Farmworkers: Seasonal and Anatomical Differences Suggest Prevention Measures Are Required.

Farmworkers are at risk of excess exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during their work activities, especially if they work in geographical areas with high ambient solar UVR levels such as in South Africa. Excess exposure to solar UVR may lead to several negative health effects such as certain cataracts and skin cancer. This study evaluated personal solar UVR exposure of a group of farmworkers to determine if they were at risk of health-related problems due to excess solar UVR exposure. Polysulphone film (PSF) badges were placed on the shoulder, arm, and top of the head of outdoor and indoor farmworkers on a macadamia nut and avocado farm in the Limpopo province for the duration of their daily work shift to evaluate their total daily solar UVR exposure. Sixteen days were assessed for each of the three, high solar UVR seasons, i.e. autumn, spring, and summer. During autumn, farmworkers' arms received the highest solar UVR exposures (geometric mean (GM) = 7.8 SED, where 1 standard erythemal dose (SED) = 100 J/m2, 95% CI 6.1-9.8 SED) while the highest exposures were on the top of the head during spring (GM = 11.6 SED, 95% CI 7.3-17.4 SED) and summer (GM = 13.9, 95% CI 10.4-17.9 SED). Statistically significant differences in solar UVR exposure were found between the body sites during spring and summer but not autumn. The relatively high daily solar UVR exposure levels of farmworkers suggest this occupational group is at risk of excess solar UVR exposure and preventive measures with awareness information to safeguard health is necessary for employers and employees.

Health Risks Associated With Excessive Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Among Outdoor Workers in South Africa: An Overview.

Exposure of outdoor workers to high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) poses significant, well-known health risks including skin cancer and eye diseases. In South Africa, little is known about how many workers are potentially overexposed to solar UVR and what the associated impacts on their health might be. In this overview, the geography and solar UVR environment in South Africa are considered, as well as the different outdoor occupational groups likely to be affected by excessive solar UVR exposure. Sunburn, pterygium, cataract, keratinocyte cancers, and melanoma are discussed in the context of outdoor workers. Few studies in South Africa have considered these health issues and the most effective ways to reduce solar UVR exposure for those working outside. Several countries have developed policies and guidelines to support sun safety in the workplace which include training and education, in addition to the provision of personal protective equipment and managerial support. Several gaps in occupational sun protection and workplace sun safety for South Africa are identified. Legislation needs to recognize solar UVR exposure as an occupational health hazard, with sun safety guidelines and training provided for employers and employees.

The Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Aetiology and Development of Uveal Melanoma.

Simple SummaryUveal melanoma (UM) is the most common form of eye cancer in adults. It has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. UM, unlike cutaneous melanoma (CM), historically lacks convincing evidence of causative ultraviolet radiation (UVR) involvement in its pathophysiology and ex vivo experimentation has suggested that UVR cannot even penetrate through the anterior ocular structures to initiate carcinogenic changes. Opposing this idea are the recent publications of UVR damage signatures in UM samples, even in those arising from the posterior uvea. This review provides an up-to-date exploration of endogenous and exogenous factors that can impact ocular susceptibility UVR, whether they form any relationship with UM risk or incidence.Uveal melanoma (UM) is currently classified by the World Health Organisation as a melanoma caused by risk factors other than cumulative solar damage. However, factors relating to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) susceptibility such as light-coloured skin and eyes, propensity to burn, and proximity to the equator, frequently correlate with higher risk of UM. These risk factors echo those of the far more common cutaneous melanoma (CM), which is widely accepted to be caused by excessive UVR exposure, suggesting a role of UVR in the development and progression of a proportion of UM. Indeed, this could mean that countries, such as Australia, with high UVR exposure and the highest incidences of CM would represent a similarly high incidence of UM if UVR exposure is truly involved. Most cases of UM lack the typical genetic mutations that are related to UVR damage, although recent evidence in a small minority of cases has shown otherwise. This review therefore reassesses statistical, environmental, anatomical, and physiological evidence for and against the role of UVR in the aetiology of UM.

3D Printed Hydrogel-Based Sensors for Quantifying UV Exposure.

Exposure to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation can have detrimental effects on human health. Inexpensive easy-to-use sensors for monitoring UV radiation can allow broad-scale assessment of UV exposure, but their implementation requires technology that enables rapid and affordable manufacturing of these sensors on a large scale. Herein, we report a novel three-dimensional (3D) printing procedure and printable ink composition that produce robust, flexible, and wearable UV sensors. To fabricate the sensors, a color-changing hydrogel ink was first developed from which standalone constructs were 3D printed. The ink contains alginate, gelatin, photoactive titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and dyes (methyl orange, methylene blue, and malachite green) in which the nanoparticles are used to initiate photocatalytic degradation of dyes, leading to discoloration of the dye. The sensors resemble a color-changing tattoo that loses color upon exposure to UV. The viscosity and ink composition were optimized to achieve printability and tune the mechanical properties (e.g., modulus, hardness) of the sensors. The optimized procedure enabled the one-step fabrication of mechanically stable sensors that can effectively measure outdoor sun exposure by quantifying the decrease in color, visible to the naked eye. Apart from being used as wearable sensors, these sensors have the potential to be used along with UV-based workspace sterilizing devices to ensure that surfaces have been efficiently exposed to UV. The sensors are inexpensive, stable, extremely robust, biodegradable, and easy to use. The tunability, biocompatibility, and printability of the ink offer excellent potential for developing advanced 3D printing methods that, in addition to UV sensors, can be applied more broadly to fabricate other sensing technologies for a variety of other applications.

Anti‐photoaging Activity of Ginseng Seed in UVB‐irradiated Human Skin Fibroblasts

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the most common environmental stressor to damage the skin. Excessive UV radiation usually causes photoaging, inflammation, and even skin carcinogenesis. The seed of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) contains various phytochemicals including phytosterols, fatty acids, and ginsenosides. Ginseng seed is known to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and melanin inhibitory activities. However, not much is known about the anti‐photoaging activities of ginseng seed. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of ginseng seed embryo (GSE) and ginseng seed coat (GSC) on UVB‐induced photoaging in human fibroblasts cell line (Hs68 cells). The contents of total polyphenols and total flavonoids were higher in GSC compared to GSE. Linoleic acid was the major fatty acid in GSE (57.69%) and GSC (39.95%). The content of ginsenoside Rh4 of GSC was about 13 times higher than that of GSE. GSE and GSC significantly attenuated UVB‐induced expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and increased the production of collagen in Hs68 cells. Furthermore, UVB‐induced ROS generation was markedly attenuated by pretreatment with GSE and GSC in a dose‐dependent manner, demonstrating that ginseng seed is to be a potent ROS scavenger. These results indicate that ginseng seed protects human skin fibroblasts from UVB‐induced photoaging and therefore has the potential for use in cosmeceutical preparations.

Inter-Comparison Campaign of Solar UVR Instruments under Clear Sky Conditions at Reunion Island (21°S, 55°E).

Measurement of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is important for the assessment of potential beneficial and adverse impacts on the biosphere, plants, animals, and humans. Excess solar UVR exposure in humans is associated with skin carcinogenesis and immunosuppression. Several factors influence solar UVR at the Earth’s surface, such as latitude and cloud cover. Given the potential risks from solar UVR there is a need to measure solar UVR at different locations using effective instrumentation. Various instruments are available to measure solar UVR, but some are expensive and others are not portable, both restrictive variables for exposure assessments. Here, we compared solar UVR sensors commercialized at low or moderate cost to assess their performance and quality of measurements against a high-grade Bentham spectrometer. The inter-comparison campaign took place between March 2018 and February 2019 at Saint-Denis, La Réunion. Instruments evaluated included a Kipp&Zonen UVS-E-T radiometer, a Solar Light UV-Biometer, a SGLux UV-Cosine radiometer, and a Davis radiometer. Cloud fraction was considered using a SkyCamVision all-sky camera and the Tropospheric Ultraviolet Visible radiative transfer model was used to model clear-sky conditions. Overall, there was good reliability between the instruments over time, except for the Davis radiometer, which showed dependence on solar zenith angle. The Solar Light UV-Biometer and the Kipp&Zonen radiometer gave satisfactory results, while the low-cost SGLux radiometer performed better in clear sky conditions. Future studies should investigate temporal drift and stability over time.

UV-detecting dual-responsive strips based on dicyanoacetate-containing hexaphenylbutadiene with aggregation-induced emission characteristic

An ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a double-edged sword. The right amount can kill bacteria on the skin and promote the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, which further stimulate the hematopoietic and immune functions. However, an excessive UV radiation will burn the skin and can even cause skin cancer. Therefore, a method based on naked-eye judgment should be developed to detect the intensity of UV radiation. Herein, the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics of two hexaphenyl-1,3-butadiene-based isomers containing dicyanoacetate, ZZ-HPB-NC and EE-HPB-NC were elucidated by single-crystal structure analysis. As the ZZ-HPB-NC, with a looser packing structure, is more suitable for intramolecular photocyclization, the ZZ-HPB–NC–based strips were sensitive to UV radiation. This is because the crystallization of ZZ-HPB-NC can be easily induced on the paper fibers, followed by intramolecular cyclization under UV radiation. As the illumination time increases, the color of the strips changes from yellow to green under a hand-held UV lamp. This approach makes it easy to estimate the intensity of the UV radiation by the naked eyes. The dual-responsive sensitivity is in direct proportion to the intensity of the UV radiation. The detection limit of the ZZ-HPB–NC–based strips at 254 nm UV intensity was estimated to be 8.2 μW/cm2. Thus, the ZZ-HPB–NC–based strips can be used as a simple and inexpensive technique to detect the intensity of the UV lamps in hospitals, nursery schools, and public areas, avoiding the harmful effects of the UV lamps to human eyes and skins.

Solar UV Radiation in Saint-Denis, La Réunion and Cape Town, South Africa: 10 years Climatology and Human Exposure Assessment at Altitude

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) monitoring is important since it depends on several atmospheric parameters which are associated with climate change and since excess solar UVR exposure and has significant impacts on human health and wellbeing. The objective of this study was to investigate the trends in solar UVR during a decade (2009–2018) in Saint-Denis, Reunion Island (20.9°S, 55.5°E, 85 m ASL) and Cape Town, South Africa (33.97°S, 18.6°E, 42 m ASL). This comparison was done using total daily erythema exposure as derived from UVR sensors continuously at both sites. Climatology over the 10-year period showed extreme UVR exposure for both sites. Slight changes with opposite trends were found, +3.6% at Saint-Denis and −3.7% at Cape Town. However, these two sites often experience extreme weather conditions thereby making the trend evaluation difficult. Human exposure assessment was performed for hiking activities at two popular high-altitude hiking trails on the Maïdo–Grand Bénare (Reunion) and Table Mountain (Cape Town) with a handheld radiometer. Extreme exposure doses of 64 SED and 40 SED (Standard Erythemal Dose, 1 SED = 100 J.m−2) were recorded, respectively. These high exposure doses highlight the importance of raising public awareness on the risk related to excess UVR exposure at tourist sites, especially those at high altitude.