The risk of skin cancer from occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation in hospitals.

The risk of skin cancer in subjects who are occupationally exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in hospital phototherapy departments has been estimated using a mathematical model based on age and annual UVR exposure. Measurements have shown that the median UV dose received by staff during an 8 h working day is one-fifth of the recommended maximum permissible exposure. This level of exposure increases the risk of skin cancer during a working life of 40 years by about 25% compared with non-exposed workers. Comparison with ionising radiation workers in hospitals indicates that the risk of death from an occupationally induced cancer is about 30-50 times less in UV workers.