BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to measure ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposures of lifeguards in pool settings and evaluate their personal UVR protective practices. METHODS: Lifeguards (n = 168) wore UVR sensitive polysulfone (PS) film badges in wrist bracelets on 2 days and completed a survey and diary covering sun protection use. Analyses were used to describe sun exposure and sun protection practices, to compare UVR exposure across locations, and to compare findings with recommended threshold limits for occupational exposure. RESULTS: The measured UVR exposures varied with location, ranging from high median UVR exposures of 6.2 standard erythemal doses (SEDs) to the lowest median of 1.7 SEDs. More than 74% of the lifeguards' PS badges showed UVR above recommended threshold limits for occupational exposure. Thirty-nine percent received more than four times the limit and 65% of cases were sufficient to induce sunburn. The most common protective behaviors were wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen, but sun protection was often inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: At-risk individuals were exposed to high levels of UVR in excess of occupational limits and though appropriate types of sun protection were used, it was not used consistently and more than 50% of lifeguards reported being sunburnt at least twice during the previous year.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to measure ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposures of lifeguards in pool settings and evaluate their personal UVR protective practices. METHODS: Lifeguards (n = 168) wore UVR sensitive polysulfone (PS) film badges in wrist bracelets on 2 days and completed a survey and diary covering sun protection use. Analyses were used to describe sun exposure and sun protection practices, to compare UVR exposure across locations, and to compare findings with recommended threshold limits for occupational exposure. RESULTS: The measured UVR exposures varied with location, ranging from high median UVR exposures of 6.2 standard erythemal doses (SEDs) to the lowest median of 1.7 SEDs. More than 74% of the lifeguards' PS badges showed UVR above recommended threshold limits for occupational exposure. Thirty-nine percent received more than four times the limit and 65% of cases were sufficient to induce sunburn. The most common protective behaviors were wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen, but sun protection was often inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: At-risk individuals were exposed to high levels of UVR in excess of occupational limits and though appropriate types of sun protection were used, it was not used consistently and more than 50% of lifeguards reported being sunburnt at least twice during the previous year.
Authors: Vinayak K Nahar; M Allison Ford; Javier F Boyas; Robert T Brodell; Amanda Hutcheson; Robert E Davis; Kim R Beason; Martha A Bass; Rizwana Biviji-Sharma Journal: Environ Health Prev Med Date: 2014-10-01 Impact factor: 3.674
Authors: Vinayak K Nahar; M Allison Ford; Jeffrey S Hallam; Martha A Bass; Amanda Hutcheson; Michael A Vice Journal: Dermatol Res Pract Date: 2013-10-07
Authors: Caradee Y Wright; D Jean du Preez; Danielle A Millar; Mary Norval Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-02-06 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Frank Pega; Susan L Norris; Claudine Backes; Lisa A Bero; Alexis Descatha; Diana Gagliardi; Lode Godderis; Tom Loney; Alberto Modenese; Rebecca L Morgan; Daniela Pachito; Marilia B S Paulo; Paul T J Scheepers; Vivi Schlünssen; Daria Sgargi; Ellen K Silbergeld; Kathrine Sørensen; Patrice Sutton; Thomas Tenkate; Denise Torreão Corrêa da Silva; Yuka Ujita; Emilie van Deventer; Tracey J Woodruff; Daniele Mandrioli Journal: Environ Int Date: 2019-12-18 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Magdalena de Troya Martín; Nuria Blázquez Sánchez; Cristina García Harana; Mª Carmen Alarcón Leiva; José Aguilera Arjona; Francisco Rivas Ruiz; Mª Victoria de Gálvez Aranda Journal: Saf Health Work Date: 2020-10-10