M Wittlich1, S M John2, G S Tiplica3, C M Sălăvăstru4, A I Butacu3, A Modenese5, V Paolucci6, G D'Hauw7, F Gobba5, P Sartorelli7, J Macan8, J Kovačić8, K Grandahl9, H Moldovan10. 1. Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance, Sankt Augustin, Germany. 2. Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany. 3. 2nd Department of Dermatology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. 4. Pediatric Dermatology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. 5. Occupational Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 6. Department of Prevention, Health and Safety Unit, AUSL South-East Tuscany, Grosseto, Italy. 7. Department of Medical Biotechnology, Unit of Occupational Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. 8. Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia. 9. Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Holbaek, Denmark. 10. Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science & Technology of Targu-Mures, Targu Mures, Romania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Work-related solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The World Health Organization, through the International Agency for Research on Cancer, has classified solar UVR as a group 1 carcinogen since 2012. The main problems encountered so far in the study of occupationally induced skin cancer include the lack of accurate occupational UVR dosimetry as well as insufficient distinction between occupational and leisure UVR exposure and underreporting of NMSC. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to collect long-term individual UVR measurements in outdoor workers across European countries. METHODS: A prospective study was initiated through the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Healthy Skin@Work Campaign, measuring UVR exposure doses at occupational settings of masons from five European countries. Measurements were performed for several consecutive months using the GENESIS-UV measurement system. RESULTS: The results identified alarming UVR exposure data. Average daily UVR doses ranged 148.40-680.48 J/m2 in Romania, 342.4-640.8 J/m2 in Italy, 165.5-466.2 J/m2 in Croatia, 41.8-473.8 J/m2 in Denmark and 88.15-400.22 J/m2 in Germany. Results showed an expected latitude dependence with increasing UVR yearly dosage from the north to the south of Europe. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that outdoor workers from EU countries included in this study are exposed to high levels of occupational solar UVR, vastly exceeding the occupational exposure limits for solar UVR exposure, considered to be 1-1.33 SED/day in the period from May to September. This finding may serve as an evidence-based recommendation to authorities on implementing occupational skin cancer prevention strategies.
BACKGROUND: Work-related solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The World Health Organization, through the International Agency for Research on Cancer, has classified solar UVR as a group 1 carcinogen since 2012. The main problems encountered so far in the study of occupationally induced skin cancer include the lack of accurate occupational UVR dosimetry as well as insufficient distinction between occupational and leisure UVR exposure and underreporting of NMSC. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to collect long-term individual UVR measurements in outdoor workers across European countries. METHODS: A prospective study was initiated through the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Healthy Skin@Work Campaign, measuring UVR exposure doses at occupational settings of masons from five European countries. Measurements were performed for several consecutive months using the GENESIS-UV measurement system. RESULTS: The results identified alarming UVR exposure data. Average daily UVR doses ranged 148.40-680.48 J/m2 in Romania, 342.4-640.8 J/m2 in Italy, 165.5-466.2 J/m2 in Croatia, 41.8-473.8 J/m2 in Denmark and 88.15-400.22 J/m2 in Germany. Results showed an expected latitude dependence with increasing UVR yearly dosage from the north to the south of Europe. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that outdoor workers from EU countries included in this study are exposed to high levels of occupational solar UVR, vastly exceeding the occupational exposure limits for solar UVR exposure, considered to be 1-1.33 SED/day in the period from May to September. This finding may serve as an evidence-based recommendation to authorities on implementing occupational skin cancer prevention strategies.
Authors: Alberto Modenese; Tom Loney; Marc Rocholl; Cara Symanzik; Fabriziomaria Gobba; Swen Malte John; Kurt Straif; Marilia Silva Paulo Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-11-11
Authors: Mayra F Calvache Ruales; Stephan Westerhausen; Hernan A Zapata Gallo; Benjamin Strehl; Sergio D Naza Guzman; Helmut Versteeg; Wiho Stöppelmann; Marc Wittlich Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-14 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Marc Rocholl; Patricia Weinert; Stephan Bielfeldt; Sabrina Laing; Klaus Peter Wilhelm; Claas Ulrich; Swen Malte John Journal: J Occup Med Toxicol Date: 2021-07-05 Impact factor: 2.646